Knowledge and attitudes of residents in two areas of Massachusetts about rabies and an oral vaccination program in wildlife.
OBJECTIVE
To compare public knowledge and attitudes about rabies and an oral rabies vaccination program in raccoons.


METHODS
Random-digit dial telephone survey.


METHODS
Residents of 2 areas of Massachusetts.


METHODS
Residents of 2 areas of Massachusetts were called to participate in a telephone survey. One area (Cape Ann) included 8 towns, most of which have had rabies in raccoons since 1993. The second area (Cape Cod) included 7 towns, 5 of which have not had rabies in raccoons. Calls were made to 642 persons, and of these, 265 agreed to participate in the survey. Of the nonrespondents who were subsequently contacted again, half agreed to participate. Data were analyzed using a statistical program. Fisher's exact and chi 2 tests were used to determine associations.


RESULTS
Residents from the area virtually free of rabies in raccoons were significantly less likely to consider rabies as a potential health threat for children in their household. The perception of rabies as a threat was higher for residents in the endemic area. Residents in both areas considered rabies control to be a high priority and supported use of state funding for an oral vaccination program.


CONCLUSIONS
People recognize dangers associated with rabies and believe that oral vaccination programs will decrease the risk of exposure.
McGuill
M W
MW
Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Jamaica Plain 02130, USA.
Kreindel
S M
SM
DeMaria
A
A
Rupprecht
C
C
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D003625:Data Collection; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D010465:Perception; D011818:Rabies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000276:immunology; D011821:Raccoons; D012307:Risk Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013689:Telephone; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014765:Viral Vaccines