Publication:

A cross-sectional study of compliance to anti-rabies post exposure prophylaxis among dog bite patients at tertiary care centre

Background Prevention of rabies is possible by providing the exposed persons with proper post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Non-compliance to PEP increases mortality. Present study was conducted with objective to assess anti-rabies PEP compliance among dog bite patients.

Methods A cross sectional study was conducted at anti rabies vaccine (ARV) OPD of tertiary care centre from May 2023 to October 2023 on category II and III dog bite patients. A total sample of 321 patient’s data was collected using a convenient sampling technique. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire was used to collect data regarding sociodemographic profile, history of dog bite exposure and compliance to anti rabies PEP. Patients who received full course of ARV as per recommended schedule were considered compliant. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and analysed by using SPSS version 20.0.

Results Study result showed that out of 321, 52.95% participants were compliant and 47.05% were non-compliant to anti rabies PEP. In most of participants reason for non-compliance to anti rabies PEP was forgetfulness (48.34%) and in 22.51% fear of loss of wages. Association of age group and socioeconomic status with compliance to anti rabies PEP was found to be significant with p value of 0.000012 and 0.036 respectively.

Conclusions In our study, non-compliance to anti-rabies PEP was high despite availability of free ARV at government healthcare facilities. Counselling for completion of prescribed schedule on recommended dates should be done on first dose of ARV.