title: Where do we stand in the control of rabies? Knowledge and practices among physicians in a health district in Turkey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of rabies transmission and control among physicians practicing in healthcare centers in Sanliurfa, Turkey where 2 cases of human rabies were reported in the past 12 months. Implementation issues regarding the current guidelines will also be discussed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted among 84 physicians practicing in healthcare centers in Sanliurfa, located in the Southeastern Anatolian region of Turkey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among physicians, average duration of medical practice was 8.5 ± 6.7 years. The correct incubation period of rabies cases was known by 57.1% of the physicians. While 88.1% of physicians were aware of possible exposure routes, only 44.0% of them had the information that mucosal contact may also lead to transmission. While 96.4% of the physicians correctly indicated that cats and dogs can transmit the disease, the fact that foxes also have a role in transmission was known by only 48.8%. Post-exposure prophylaxis was correctly indicated by 65.5% of participants, but only 17.9% had correct information about pre-exposure prophylaxis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An important approach in rabies control is to increase community awareness, particularly among healthcare providers. It was found that basic management issues and insufficient awareness still exist despite the presence of legal regulations. To control rabies, the issue must be dealt with locally, through both economic and social means, by supporting rabies control efforts of local health and agricultural directorate managers and by encouraging collaboration with academics.
authors: Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Department, Harran University, Faculty of Medicine, Sanliurfa, Turkey. suda_tekinkoruk@yahoo.com
authors: Suda Tekın
authors: ST
authors: Koruk
authors: Ibrahim
authors: I
authors: Koruk
authors: Seher
authors: S
authors: Kutlu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011818:Rabies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology