Abstract

Background: The dog population in India is estimated to be around 25 million, and most of them are not protected against rabies. Although cases of dog bite constitute a problem of considerable magnitude, not all the victims of a dog bite seek medical help. Objectives: (1) To find out the prevalence of dog bite cases in a selected rural population and the practice of first aid and (2) To analyze the health seeking behavior among those who are exposed to dog bites.
Materials and Methods: It was a community-based cross-sectional study. About 6 villages selected at Keerapalayam block in Cuddalore district by simple random sampling method. Study participants were 237 dog bite cases reported over a period of 5-year. Data collection was done based on the pre-designed questionnaire. Information could not be obtained for 21 cases due to refusal and migration. Statistical analysis was done using proportion, Chi-square test. Result: Out of 216 cases of dog bite 57.4% were males. Out of which 34.3% were <15 years of age. Total prevalence was 1.3/100 population. In 55.6% of cases, the bite was provoked. Minimum number (9.7%) of the bites occurred during day time between 9 am and 4 pm (P < 0.005). out of 216 cases (74%) of cases had bite in the lower extremities. 51.9% of the dog bite cases had no first aid. 67.5% of the dog bite cases reported that they went for allopathic treatment and 65.7% of cases received treatment only after 24 h. Conclusion: There is a shortfall of completeness of dosages and course of treatment due to the non-availability of vaccines. Preferably intradermal route of administration of vaccines will sort it out the demand for the vaccines when it is given through the intramuscular. This will be useful in the primary health-care level and rural regions to combat the deficit of the vaccines.