A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Awareness and Health-Seeking Behavior Regarding Animal Bites Among Residents of Urban Slums in the Field Practice Area of a Medical College in Eastern India

Around 72.1% of the study participants had adequate knowledge, and 63.0% had good health-seeking practices following an animal bite. It was found that educational status (p < 0.001) and socioeconomic status (p = 0.003) were statistically significantly associated with knowledge about rabies amongst the study participants. Other variables, like first-aid sought after a bite, place of seeking treatment, observation of the biting animal, time of seeking anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) following an animal bite, and recognizing the category of wound correctly, were found to be significantly associated with various practices following an animal bite (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The level of awareness was found to be lower among the adults residing in urban slums. The practices were found to be good among a few, and the health-seeking behavior was also found to be low within 24 hours following animal bite exposure. There were various sociodemographic variables affecting the level of awareness. Several pet-related factors, like owner of a pet, first-aid after a bite, and the place of getting treated, were found to be associated with the practices among the study participants.