Conference abstract
Barriers to anti-rabies vaccination services uptake among dog owners in Anambra State, South - Eastern Nigeria, 2016
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2018:8(60).09
Apr 2018.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2018.8.60.642
Archived on: 09 Apr 2018
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Rabies, coverage, anti-rabies vaccination services
Opening ceremony
Barriers to anti-rabies vaccination services uptake among dog owners in Anambra State, South - Eastern Nigeria, 2016
Uchenna Patrick Anebonam1,&, Olayinka Ishola2, David Dairo3, Olawunmi Adeoye1, Patrick Nguku1
1Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Abuja, Nigeria, 2Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine University of Ibadan, Nigeria, 3Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics University of Ibadan, Nigeria
&Corresponding author
Uchenna Patrick Anebonam, Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria
Introduction: canine-rabies pose a major public health threat in Nigeria. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 70% Anti-rabies Vaccination Coverage (AVC) for dogs as control strategy. Responsible pet ownership places responsibility on dog owners to ensure routine vaccination. Anambra State has reported numerous dog bites and deaths. This study determined the AVC of dogs and barriers to Anti-Rabies Vaccination Services (AVS) uptake among dog owners.
Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among dog owners in Anambra State. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted and 437 respondents recruited. Study instrument was Open Data Kit, interviewer administered semi structured questionnaire. Data was collected on mode of dog acquisition, classified into dog being purchased and dog not purchased, estimated cost of dog (< N10,000 and > N10,000), reasons for keeping dog (business and non-business purposes) and income level of dog owner (below or above minimum wage). Data was analyzed using epi-info version 7. Level of significance was set at 5%.
Results: mean age of respondents was (47.2 ± 13.1) years. Males were 275 (62.9%) of respondents. 383 (87.6%) were employed and 349 (79%) completed secondary education. Anti-rabies vaccination coverage of dogs was 63.6% in the past 12 months. Sixty (52%) respondents reported far distance to veterinary clinic and 84(73%) reported high vaccine cost as major barriers to AVS uptake. On bivariate analysis, ever having heard of rabies (OR = 31.9, 95% CI = 9.7 - 104.9) keeping the dog for business purposes (OR = 11.7, 95% CI = 2.8 - 49.2), having one’s dogs valuing >10,000 Naira (OR = 11.0, 95% CI = 9.7 - 104.9), earning above minimum wage (OR = 5.0, 95% CI = 3.0 - 7.2) having purchased the dog (OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 2.5 - 7.6), having the dog movement restricted (OR = 4.3, 95% CI = 2.6 - 7.4), and ever been bitten by a dog (OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.7 - 6.2) were significantly associated with good AVS uptake. However, the significant predictors on logistic regression were having one’s dog being purchased (AOR = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.9 - 6.2) and ever having heard of rabies (AOR = 41.3, 95% CI = 7.9 - 216.2).
Conclusion: our study shows AVC is less than WHO recommended rate. Introduction of veterinary extension services, government subsidization of vaccine cost, increased sensitization on rabies and need to vaccinate dogs as well as exploring low cost options of vaccine delivery will improve AVS uptake.
