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Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards rabies: A survey of the general population residing in the Harare Metropolitan Province of Zimbabwe

Author

Listed:
  • Reverend M Spargo
  • Andre Coetzer
  • Francis T Makuvadze
  • Sylvester M Chikerema
  • Vaida Chiwerere
  • Esnath Bhara
  • Louis H Nel

Abstract

Background: Rabies remains endemic to the Harare Metropolitan Province of Zimbabwe, with a lack of public participations potentially contributing to the limited success in eliminating the disease. We hypothesized that rabies intervention campaigns were less successful than they could be as a result of poor understanding of the disease at the community level, and thus aimed to identify the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards rabies in the province. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, using a semi-structured questionnaire, was implemented between January 2017 and June 2018 across the province and data were collected from 798 respondents. Frequency distributions and logistic regressions were undertaken to determine the factors associated with the adequacy of the prevailing rabies knowledge, pet ownership characteristics and the existing preventative practices. Results: The results of our study suggested that the majority of the respondents (92%) had heard of rabies. However, the level of rabies knowledge could be classified as “adequate” in only 36% of respondents. The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that pet ownership and type of occupation were statistically associated with a better understanding and knowledge of the disease. Off all the respondents, 49% owned at least one dog or cat and suburb density and occupation were statistically associated with owning a pet. Amongst the pet owners, 57% consulted an animal health practitioner at least once a year and 75% were aware of a rabies vaccine for their pets. The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age, education and gender were statistically associated with pet owners taking their pet(s) to an animal clinic. Conclusion: This study showed that the majority of the respondents lacked comprehensive knowledge about rabies, with the knowledge pertaining to health seeking behaviour and the importance of rabies vaccination being the most lacking. Additional public education relying on key messages, aimed at the different target audiences, is required in the province.

Suggested Citation

  • Reverend M Spargo & Andre Coetzer & Francis T Makuvadze & Sylvester M Chikerema & Vaida Chiwerere & Esnath Bhara & Louis H Nel, 2021. "Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards rabies: A survey of the general population residing in the Harare Metropolitan Province of Zimbabwe," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0246103
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246103
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sangay Rinchen & Tenzin Tenzin & David Hall & Frank van der Meer & Basant Sharma & Kinzang Dukpa & Susan Cork, 2019. "A community-based knowledge, attitude, and practice survey on rabies among cattle owners in selected areas of Bhutan," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, April.
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