Mixed methods to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards rabies in central and remote communities of Moramanga district, Madagascar

by Claire Leblanc, Daouda Kassi é, Mendrika Ranaivoharimina, Elliot Fara Nandrasana Rakotomanana, Reziky Tiandraza Mangahasimbola, Anjasoa Randrianarijaona, Ravo Ramiandrasoa, Alphonse José Nely, Nivohanitra Perle Razafindraibe, Soa Fy Andriamandimby, Dany Bakoly Ranoaritiana, Virginie Rajaonarivony, Laurence Randrianasolo, Laur ence Baril, Chiarella Mattern, Rila Ratovoson, Hélène Guis Control of dog-mediated rabies relies on raising awareness, access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and mass dog vaccination. To assess rabies awareness in Moramanga district, Madagascar, where rabies is endemic, two complementary quantitative and qualitative approaches were carried out in 2018. In the quantitative approach, a standardized questionnaire was administered to 334 randomized participants living in 170 households located less than 5 km from the anti-rabies treatment center (ARTC) located in Moramanga city (thereafter called the central area), and in 164 households located more than 15 km away from the ARTC in two rural communes (thereafter called the remote area). Logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors influencing knowledge and practice scores. The qualitative approach consisted in semi-structured interviews conducted with 28 bite victims who had consulted the ARTC, three owners of biting dogs, three ARTC staff and two local authorities. Overall, 15.6% (52/334) of households owned at least one dog. The dog-to-human ratio was 1:17.6. The central area had a...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research