Rabies and antirabies immunization in South Western Nigeria: knowledge, attitude and practice.
Factors responsible for the continued endemicity of rabies in Nigeria were determined by carrying out a knowledge, attitude and practice study among residents of Osun State. Structured questionnaires were administered to 679 individuals comprising students, traders and civil servants. Only 33.4% of the respondents knew rabies could be prevented by vaccination, while 38.7% believed that the infection could be treated with herbs. Of the 387 victims of dog bite, 240 (62%) never sought prophylactic postexposure treatment. Of the 10 people who received postexposure treatment, only one received the appropriate treatment consisting of washing, disinfection of wounds, tetanus toxoid and complete antirabies immunization.
Opaleye
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Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, College of Health Sciences, Osogbo, PMB 4400 Osogbo Osun State, Nigeria. yopaleye@yahoo.com
Adesiji
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Olowe
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Fagbami
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000628:therapy*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary