Rabies: Medical Students’ Perception of a Zoonotic Disease

Abstract

Background: Rabies is a fatal but vaccine-preventable zoonotic disease that remains a major public health concern in developing countries. In Pakistan, thousands of deaths occur annually due to inadequate awareness, prevention, and control measures.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the perceptions of medical students about rabies in a medical college in Lahore, Pakistan.

Method: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 350 medical students through stratified random sampling. The study was conducted during November 2022 to July 2023. At University College of Medicine at University of Lahore, Pakistan. Data was described and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Ethical approval was obtained from institutional IRB. Results: Among 350 medical students (50% male, 50% female, mean age 21.63), 94% correctly identified rabies as a central nervous system disease, 87.7% recognized dogs as potential rabies carriers, but only 10.86% had awareness of other animals involved in transmission. Approximately 62.85% had knowledge of animal vaccination, while 5.71% were aware of sterilization of dogs as a measure to prevent rabies. Only 63.14% were informed of a rabies vaccine for humans. Knowledge of correct doses for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was known to 8% and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to 10%. Awareness of Rabies Control and Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) programs was regrettably low (3.42% and 1.42% respectively). Responses pertaining to attitude were moderate, with 29.4% considering aggressive wound washing immediately after a stray dog bite. Furthermore, about 36.6% had attended a rabies awareness workshop but only 1.4% had seen a dog bite center in Lahore. Analysis of associations revealed that knowledge was significantly associated with gender (?²=6.84, p=0.009), class year (?²=10.21, p=0.037), and age (?²=8.15, p=0.017), with male, senior, and older students showing better knowledge. Similarly, practice was significantly associated with gender (?²=7.22, p=0.007), class year (?²=12.35, p=0.015), and age (?²=9.48, p=0.009), where male, senior, and older participants demonstrated better preventive practices.

Conclusion: Significant gaps in medical students' perception about rabies exist. Improving education and awareness among future healthcare providers is crucial to effectively prevent and manage rabies in the community. Both knowledge and practice were found to be significantly associated with gender, class year, and age, with male, senior, and older students performing better.