Rabies knowledge and prevention practices in Gombe state, Nigeria: a community-based comparative cross-sectional study of rabies hotspot and non-hotspot areas
Abstract Background Rabies remains a significant public health concern in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas with limited awareness and resources. Gombe State is recognized as a rabies hotspot, facing challenges in controlling the spread of the disease. This study aimed to assess and compare the k...
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2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21309-2 |
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| author | Eugene Chidi Eugene Pius Odunze Bile Nuhu Olukemi Titilope Olugbade Mishel Dauda Abiodun Egwuenu Olugbemisola W. Samuel Hilary I. Okagbue |
| author_facet | Eugene Chidi Eugene Pius Odunze Bile Nuhu Olukemi Titilope Olugbade Mishel Dauda Abiodun Egwuenu Olugbemisola W. Samuel Hilary I. Okagbue |
| author_sort | Eugene Chidi Eugene |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Rabies remains a significant public health concern in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas with limited awareness and resources. Gombe State is recognized as a rabies hotspot, facing challenges in controlling the spread of the disease. This study aimed to assess and compare the knowledge and prevention practices related to rabies among community members in hotspot and non-hotspot areas of Gombe State. Methods A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Gombe State. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 816 eligible respondents from selected households with pet dogs or cats (408 each from hotspot and non-hotspot areas). A semi-structured, pre-tested digital interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographics, rabies knowledge, and prevention practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. The univariate and bivariate analysis compared rabies knowledge and prevention practices at p value < 0.05. Logistic regression identified predictors of good practice. Results Respondents from hotspot areas demonstrated better overall knowledge of rabies compared to those from non-hotspot areas. However, a higher proportion of respondents from non-hotspot areas exhibited better rabies prevention practices, particularly in terms of vaccinating their dogs within the previous year. Factors such as older age (AOR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27– 0.84), farming occupation (AOR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27 – 0.84), and good overall rabies knowledge (AOR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.37 – 6.73) were significant predictors of rabies prevention practices in the hotspot area. Conclusion Targeted educational interventions and tailored prevention strategies are needed to improve rabies awareness and practices, especially among specific demographic groups like older individuals and farmers. Enhancing overall knowledge of rabies and promoting consistent vaccination practices for pets are crucial steps towards reducing the incidence of rabies in both hotspot and non-hotspot areas. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1ce14957ea354e2fa2fcea31701ae3fb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-1ce14957ea354e2fa2fcea31701ae3fb2025-01-19T12:42:19ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-01-0125111310.1186/s12889-025-21309-2Rabies knowledge and prevention practices in Gombe state, Nigeria: a community-based comparative cross-sectional study of rabies hotspot and non-hotspot areasEugene Chidi Eugene0Pius Odunze1Bile Nuhu2Olukemi Titilope Olugbade3Mishel Dauda4Abiodun Egwuenu5Olugbemisola W. Samuel6Hilary I. Okagbue7Sydani Institute for Research and Innovation, Sydani GroupDepartment of Public Health, Gombe State Ministry of HealthDepartment of Public Health, Gombe State Ministry of HealthDepartment of Medical Services, Ministry of Defence2 Division Nigeria ArmyMinistry of AgricultureCharite Universitatmedizin/Humboldt UniversitySydani Institute for Research and Innovation, Sydani GroupSydani Institute for Research and Innovation, Sydani GroupAbstract Background Rabies remains a significant public health concern in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas with limited awareness and resources. Gombe State is recognized as a rabies hotspot, facing challenges in controlling the spread of the disease. This study aimed to assess and compare the knowledge and prevention practices related to rabies among community members in hotspot and non-hotspot areas of Gombe State. Methods A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Gombe State. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 816 eligible respondents from selected households with pet dogs or cats (408 each from hotspot and non-hotspot areas). A semi-structured, pre-tested digital interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographics, rabies knowledge, and prevention practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. The univariate and bivariate analysis compared rabies knowledge and prevention practices at p value < 0.05. Logistic regression identified predictors of good practice. Results Respondents from hotspot areas demonstrated better overall knowledge of rabies compared to those from non-hotspot areas. However, a higher proportion of respondents from non-hotspot areas exhibited better rabies prevention practices, particularly in terms of vaccinating their dogs within the previous year. Factors such as older age (AOR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27– 0.84), farming occupation (AOR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27 – 0.84), and good overall rabies knowledge (AOR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.37 – 6.73) were significant predictors of rabies prevention practices in the hotspot area. Conclusion Targeted educational interventions and tailored prevention strategies are needed to improve rabies awareness and practices, especially among specific demographic groups like older individuals and farmers. Enhancing overall knowledge of rabies and promoting consistent vaccination practices for pets are crucial steps towards reducing the incidence of rabies in both hotspot and non-hotspot areas.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21309-2DogsPublic HealthRabiesNigeriaVaccination |
| spellingShingle | Eugene Chidi Eugene Pius Odunze Bile Nuhu Olukemi Titilope Olugbade Mishel Dauda Abiodun Egwuenu Olugbemisola W. Samuel Hilary I. Okagbue Rabies knowledge and prevention practices in Gombe state, Nigeria: a community-based comparative cross-sectional study of rabies hotspot and non-hotspot areas BMC Public Health Dogs Public Health Rabies Nigeria Vaccination |
| title | Rabies knowledge and prevention practices in Gombe state, Nigeria: a community-based comparative cross-sectional study of rabies hotspot and non-hotspot areas |
| title_full | Rabies knowledge and prevention practices in Gombe state, Nigeria: a community-based comparative cross-sectional study of rabies hotspot and non-hotspot areas |
| title_fullStr | Rabies knowledge and prevention practices in Gombe state, Nigeria: a community-based comparative cross-sectional study of rabies hotspot and non-hotspot areas |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rabies knowledge and prevention practices in Gombe state, Nigeria: a community-based comparative cross-sectional study of rabies hotspot and non-hotspot areas |
| title_short | Rabies knowledge and prevention practices in Gombe state, Nigeria: a community-based comparative cross-sectional study of rabies hotspot and non-hotspot areas |
| title_sort | rabies knowledge and prevention practices in gombe state nigeria a community based comparative cross sectional study of rabies hotspot and non hotspot areas |
| topic | Dogs Public Health Rabies Nigeria Vaccination |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21309-2 |
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