Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding Rabies among general practitioners of Belgaum City

Introduction: Rabies in humans is highly fatal and ends in an extremely painful and tortuous death. Unfortunately we still have highest number of deaths due to rabies, ironically a disease preventable by modern prophylactic measures. The post-exposure prophylaxis is a life saving treatment in a defi...

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Main Authors: R.K. Nayak, P.R. Walvekar, M.D. Mallapur
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Al Ameen Medical College 2013-07-01
Series:Al Ameen Journal of Medical Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:http://ajms.alameenmedical.org/ArticlePDFs/10%20AJMS%20V6.N3.2013%20p%20237-242.pdf
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author R.K. Nayak
P.R. Walvekar
M.D. Mallapur
author_facet R.K. Nayak
P.R. Walvekar
M.D. Mallapur
author_sort R.K. Nayak
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Rabies in humans is highly fatal and ends in an extremely painful and tortuous death. Unfortunately we still have highest number of deaths due to rabies, ironically a disease preventable by modern prophylactic measures. The post-exposure prophylaxis is a life saving treatment in a definite rabid animal bite. General Practitioners (GP’s) act as first line care-givers for the treatment of dog bite and they are also easily approachable by the victim for the treatment to prevent rabies. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding rabies among general practitioners. Methodology: This cross sectional survey was carried out from July – August 2011 in Belgaum city among 100 general practitioners using a pre tested questionnaire. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 18 trial version. Frequencies were tabulated for demographic variables and association between variables was tested using Chi-square test. Results: Out of the total 100 general practitioners interviewed, 93 were males and 7 were females. The mean age of GP’s was 42.89 years. The mean duration of practice for MBBS doctors was 19 years and for other doctors (BAMS, BHMS, RMP’s) was 11 years. Knowledge about various aspects of rabies was comparatively better among MBBS doctors. The knowledge regarding vaccine was very poor among the general practitioners. Conclusion: The major issue was lack of hands on training or updating the knowledge of general practitioners regarding the newer vaccines and their administration. We recommend continued medical education for general practitioners, both (MBBS and non MBBS) on prevention of Rabies.
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spelling doaj.art-20578a8e2341455d91019e9b17c4e93c2022-12-21T20:13:57ZengAl Ameen Medical CollegeAl Ameen Journal of Medical Sciences0974-11432013-07-010603237242Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding Rabies among general practitioners of Belgaum CityR.K. NayakP.R. WalvekarM.D. MallapurIntroduction: Rabies in humans is highly fatal and ends in an extremely painful and tortuous death. Unfortunately we still have highest number of deaths due to rabies, ironically a disease preventable by modern prophylactic measures. The post-exposure prophylaxis is a life saving treatment in a definite rabid animal bite. General Practitioners (GP’s) act as first line care-givers for the treatment of dog bite and they are also easily approachable by the victim for the treatment to prevent rabies. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding rabies among general practitioners. Methodology: This cross sectional survey was carried out from July – August 2011 in Belgaum city among 100 general practitioners using a pre tested questionnaire. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 18 trial version. Frequencies were tabulated for demographic variables and association between variables was tested using Chi-square test. Results: Out of the total 100 general practitioners interviewed, 93 were males and 7 were females. The mean age of GP’s was 42.89 years. The mean duration of practice for MBBS doctors was 19 years and for other doctors (BAMS, BHMS, RMP’s) was 11 years. Knowledge about various aspects of rabies was comparatively better among MBBS doctors. The knowledge regarding vaccine was very poor among the general practitioners. Conclusion: The major issue was lack of hands on training or updating the knowledge of general practitioners regarding the newer vaccines and their administration. We recommend continued medical education for general practitioners, both (MBBS and non MBBS) on prevention of Rabies.http://ajms.alameenmedical.org/ArticlePDFs/10%20AJMS%20V6.N3.2013%20p%20237-242.pdfKnowledgerabiesgeneral practitioners
spellingShingle R.K. Nayak
P.R. Walvekar
M.D. Mallapur
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding Rabies among general practitioners of Belgaum City
Al Ameen Journal of Medical Sciences
Knowledge
rabies
general practitioners
title Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding Rabies among general practitioners of Belgaum City
title_full Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding Rabies among general practitioners of Belgaum City
title_fullStr Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding Rabies among general practitioners of Belgaum City
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding Rabies among general practitioners of Belgaum City
title_short Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding Rabies among general practitioners of Belgaum City
title_sort knowledge attitudes and practices regarding rabies among general practitioners of belgaum city
topic Knowledge
rabies
general practitioners
url http://ajms.alameenmedical.org/ArticlePDFs/10%20AJMS%20V6.N3.2013%20p%20237-242.pdf
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