Abstract

A study was conducted in the Anti Rabies Clinic (AR.C.) of the Department of Community Medicine, M.K.C.G. Medical College from 1.1.2004 to15.4.2004 to know the KAP of animal bite cases towards their wound treatment. 44% of cases were under 10 years of age, and40.73% were from lower income group, 46% were dependents who did not have much say in their treatment. 45% of illiterates had reported after 7 days. 76% of cases with higher secondary or above education had reported within 24 hours. 67% of cases had been immunized with tetanus toxoid prior to attending AR.C. and most of them with the belief that this immunization would also help to protect them against Rabies. Nearly 47% had sought the treatment of quacks, witch doctors and traditional healers. The study revealed a lot of misconceptions among the public regarding animal bites and their treatment and this can only be tackled by effective I.E.C. activities.

Key words: Anti Rabies Immunization, Wound Treatment and I.E.C.

Introduction

Rabies, a disease of great antiquity & also known as hydrophobia, is an acute highly fatal, viral disease of the central nervous system caused by Lyssavirus type I. It is a Zoonotic disease, which is transmitted by bites and licks of rabid animals.

Among human infections Rabies is the 10th most common cause of death. The human deaths due to 3 Rabies reported worldwide is about 60,000 . In India alone rabies takes away more than 30,000 precious lives every year and this may be just the tip of the iceberg with many more cases going unreported. India holds the unflattering record of 80% of human rabies worldwide, this in spite of the fact that 1.1 to 1.5 million people receive post exposure treatment with either nerve tissue or cell culture vaccine.

Widespread ignorance, fear psychosis and misguided theories of treatment have been the bane, resulting in precious loss of human lives.

A study was conducted to find out common prac­tices and beliefs followed widely by cases coming to the Anti Rabies Clinic (ARC) of the Department of Community Medicine, M.KC.G. Medical College, Berhampur, Orissa for treatment.

Objectives

1. To study the practices followed by the animal bite cases following exposure.

2. To find out the beliefs and consequences prevalent regarding animal bite cases.

Materials and Methods

This study was conducted at the Anti Rabies Clinic (A.R.c.) OPD under the Department of Community Medicine, M.K.C.G. Medical College, Brahmapur from 1st January 2004 to 15th April 2004.

Total number of cases was 430. Sample size was se­lected by systematic random sampling. Information regarding common beliefs and practices were ob­tained from the patient by Interview technique.

Results

Table - I : Age Wise Distrbution of Cases  

The study revealed that 68% of the cases were under 10 years of age (Table-I).

Table II: Occupation of Cases  

46% of cases were dependents, either housewives. or children or the elderly who had not much say in their treatment (Table-II). 40.73% were from lower income group, 11 % from middle-income group and 9% from higher income group.

Table III : Cases First Reporting at ARC & Education Status  

45% of illiterates had reported after 7 days had re­lapsed, whereas 76% of cases with higher second­ary or above education reported within 24 hours showing the awareness that education brings about (Table-III) .

Table IV : Primary Washing of the Wound  

80% had washed their wounds, prior to seeking treat­ment but even out of them, 57% of them had no idea about primary wound care (Table-IV). Fortunately 67% of cases had been immunized with tetanus tox­oid prior to attending A.R.e. but most of them had the belief that it would protect them against rabies.