Determinants of rabies knowledge, attitudes, and practices among secondary and vocational school students in Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand

Abstract Rabies is a critical zoonotic disease that is found throughout the world, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Once a clinical sign appears, the fatality rate rises to 100% globally. In Thailand, children under the age of 15 had the highest annual reported exposure rate to rabies infection. One of the most significant barriers to disease prevention and control is a lack of public awareness about rabies, particularly among children and young people. The study’s goal was to determine knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice (KAP) about rabies and associated factors among secondary and vocational students in Maha Sarakham, Thailand, in 2023. An analytic cross-sectional survey was carried out from January to May 2023, with a total of 628 study participants. Data was collected through online and on-site questionnaires. Descriptive analysis was carried out. Inferential statistics analysis was also performed to identify factors associated with rabies KAP among the target participants. Most participants demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge (55.89%), neutral attitudes (81.37%), and moderate preventive practices (72.77%) toward rabies. Students who had experience raising animals, had previously studied zoonotic diseases, had a history of animal bites or scratches, or had received rabies vaccination showed significantly higher knowledge and practice scores ( p < 0.05). Knowledge and attitudes were positively correlated with preventive practices ( r = 0.14 and r = 0.28, respectively; p < 0.05). The findings suggest a significant need for rabies awareness programs targeting school and college students within the community. The materials designed to promote KAP regarding rabies should address specific topics, including the risk of rabies, modes of transmission, the significance of first aid, health-seeking behavior following dog bites or cat scratches, and preventive measures for both pets and community dogs and cats.