EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF CANINE RABIES IN OGOJA, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF CANINE RABIES IN OGOJA, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2013-02
Authors
ISEK, Thomas Igut
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Abstract
Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease which affects both humans and animals. It is worldwide in
distribution and its control remains a public health challenge. There is paucity of information on
the epidemiology and public health significance of canine rabies in Ogoja, hence the need for a
study of canine rabies and its associated public health implications in the area. A descriptive and
cross sectional study was set up to examine factors associated with dog bites and vaccination of
dogs, to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of processors and consumers of dog meat
through structured questionnaires. The study also checked for the presence of rabies antigen in
the brain tissues of dogs slaughtered for human consumption and educates processors and
consumers of dog meat on the dangers of rabies. Information was obtained from the State
Veterinary Hospital, Ogoja on dog bites and dog vaccination records covering a period of 11
years (2001-2011). Out of 183 human dog bite cases, 68(37.2%) were in persons between 10-19
years of age, 95(51.9%) from males and 88(48.1%) from females. Anatomical location of bites
indicated higher frequency on lower extremities (65%) than other parts of the body. The highest
rate of vaccination in dogs 464(67.5%) was within the ages of 3-12 months. Out of 200
respondents, 109(54.5%) knew the source of rabies in Nigeria, 78(39.5%) were aware that it was
unlawful not to vaccinate dogs against rabies, 134(67%) indicated that vaccination of dogs
should be repeated yearly, 147(73.5%) knew that keeping dogs that were not vaccinated against
rabies were dangerous to human health. Majority of the respondents 116(58%) said dog handlers
should be vaccinated against rabies and a significant proportion 128(64%) reported that they
would not allow the bite victim to be treated with traditional medicine. The age group >40 years
had highest acceptable knowledge (77.5%) scores and practice scores of (75.0%). Also, civil
servants had higher acceptable knowledge scores of (65.5%) and practice scores of (74.1%) than
other occupational categories. Respondents with secondary and tertiary education had
significantly higher acceptable attitude (81.3%) and practice (77.0%) scores towards rabies than
respondents with non-formal and primary education. Rabies antigen was detected in 6(3.4%) out
of 177 brain samples examined by fluorescent antibody technique. The findings in this study
indicated that frequent dog bites, insufficient vaccination coverage, inadequate knowledge of
rabies, poor attitude and practice, and presence of rabies antigen in dogs slaughtered for human
consumption were suggestive of high public health risk of rabies to dog meat processors and
requires strategic intervention
Description
THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA- NIGERIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH AND
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH AND
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA- NIGERIA
FEBRUARY, 2013
Keywords
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL,, STUDIES,, CANINE RABIES,, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA