Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Rabies in El Jadida Region, Morocco
The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding rabies in the El Jadida region, Morocco. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire among randomly selected residents across 24 study sites. In total, 407 respondents took part in the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-03-01
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| Series: | Veterinary Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/7/1/29 |
| _version_ | 1819066890299899904 |
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| author | Khadija Bouaddi Abdelali Bitar Mohammed Bouslikhane Abdesslam Ferssiwi Aziz Fitani Philip Paul Mshelbwala |
| author_facet | Khadija Bouaddi Abdelali Bitar Mohammed Bouslikhane Abdesslam Ferssiwi Aziz Fitani Philip Paul Mshelbwala |
| author_sort | Khadija Bouaddi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding rabies in the El Jadida region, Morocco. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire among randomly selected residents across 24 study sites. In total, 407 respondents took part in the survey. The majority (367, 92%) were male and had no formal education (270, 66%). Some (118, 29%) believed that rabies does not affect humans. Most respondents (320, 79%) were aware that vaccination could prevent rabies, but nevertheless did not vaccinate their dogs (264, 64.9%) and allowed their dogs to roam freely in search of food. Some (52.8%) would visit traditional healers for treatment in the event of a dog bite incident. Age and educational level were found to be significantly associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Although respondents demonstrated some level of knowledge about rabies, overall this study reveals critical gaps in their attitudes and practices. These shortcomings may be associated with a low level of education. Therefore, decision-makers need a new approach to control rabies, with a special focus on public awareness and health education, in order to sustain rabies control programs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T16:09:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eff3dc068c5d43ae9fa2adca907b806f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2306-7381 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T16:09:33Z |
| publishDate | 2020-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Veterinary Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-eff3dc068c5d43ae9fa2adca907b806f2022-12-21T18:57:50ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812020-03-01712910.3390/vetsci7010029vetsci7010029Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Rabies in El Jadida Region, MoroccoKhadija Bouaddi0Abdelali Bitar1Mohammed Bouslikhane2Abdesslam Ferssiwi3Aziz Fitani4Philip Paul Mshelbwala5Provincial Veterinary Service of El Jadida, National Food Safety Office, ONSSA, El Jadida 24000, MoroccoNutritional Physiopathology and Toxicology Team, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, MoroccoDepartment of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine Hassan II, BP 6202, Rabat-Instituts, Rabat 10000, MoroccoNutritional Physiopathology and Toxicology Team, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, MoroccoPrivate Veterinarian, El Jadida 24000, MoroccoDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja 900001, NigeriaThe aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding rabies in the El Jadida region, Morocco. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire among randomly selected residents across 24 study sites. In total, 407 respondents took part in the survey. The majority (367, 92%) were male and had no formal education (270, 66%). Some (118, 29%) believed that rabies does not affect humans. Most respondents (320, 79%) were aware that vaccination could prevent rabies, but nevertheless did not vaccinate their dogs (264, 64.9%) and allowed their dogs to roam freely in search of food. Some (52.8%) would visit traditional healers for treatment in the event of a dog bite incident. Age and educational level were found to be significantly associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Although respondents demonstrated some level of knowledge about rabies, overall this study reveals critical gaps in their attitudes and practices. These shortcomings may be associated with a low level of education. Therefore, decision-makers need a new approach to control rabies, with a special focus on public awareness and health education, in order to sustain rabies control programs.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/7/1/29rabiesknowledgeattitudepracticeel jadidamorocco |
| spellingShingle | Khadija Bouaddi Abdelali Bitar Mohammed Bouslikhane Abdesslam Ferssiwi Aziz Fitani Philip Paul Mshelbwala Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Rabies in El Jadida Region, Morocco Veterinary Sciences rabies knowledge attitude practice el jadida morocco |
| title | Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Rabies in El Jadida Region, Morocco |
| title_full | Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Rabies in El Jadida Region, Morocco |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Rabies in El Jadida Region, Morocco |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Rabies in El Jadida Region, Morocco |
| title_short | Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Rabies in El Jadida Region, Morocco |
| title_sort | knowledge attitudes and practices regarding rabies in el jadida region morocco |
| topic | rabies knowledge attitude practice el jadida morocco |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/7/1/29 |
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