A Cross-sectional Study on Awareness regarding Animal Bite Wound Management and Rabies Immunization among Students of a School of Nursing in a City of India

JOURNAL TITLE: International Journal of Advanced and Integrated Medical Sciences

Author
1. Deepak Upadhyay
2. Hari S Joshi
3. Arun Singh
4. Sudeepti Panat
ISSN
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10050-10105
Volume
2
Issue
4
Publishing Year
2017
Pages
5
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Community Medicine, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
    1. Department of Community Medicine, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
    1. Department of Community Medicine, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
    1. Department of Community Medicine, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Article keywords
    Animal bite wound, Awareness, Immunization, Knowledge, Nursing students, Rabies

    Abstract

    Introduction Human rabies continues to be endemic in India. Rabies is a zoonotic disease transmitted by animal bites, mainly dogs. It is invariably fatal if proper treatment is not instituted promptly. One of the important factors associated with successful treatment is the knowledge of the nursing staff regarding the proper management of animal bites and rabies vaccination. Objectives To assess the awareness of the nursing students of Rohilkhand School of Nursing regarding animal bite wound management and pre- and postexposure prophylaxis of rabies. Materials and methods Study Area: Rohilkhand School of Nursing, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Study Duration: January 2017 to February 2017. Study Population: Students of Rohilkhand School of Nursing, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. Sample Size: 100. Study Tool: Questionnaire was distributed to the nursing students for collecting the data. Results A total of 100 nursing students were studied, out of which 85% were females and 15% were males. It was observed that the majority of participants (80%) were aware regarding the immediate treatment of animal bite wound. Knowledge of the study participants regarding site of intramuscular (IM) vaccine administration in infants was found to be poor, i.e., only 31% of participants were aware regarding the correct site of IM vaccination in infants. It was also found that only 9% of participants were aware of the incurability of rabies after clinical onset, 72% were aware about the noncurable nature of rabies, and 72% were aware about the preventable nature of rabies. Knowledge of participants regarding rabies immunization showed that only 46% of participants were aware about the recommended regimen for IM vaccine administration for postexposure prophylaxis and 32% regarding the route of administration of antirabies vaccine (ARV) in pregnancy. About 94% of participants were aware about the tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine administration postanimal bite. Conclusions and recommendations There is an apparent lack of knowledge among study participants regarding rabies and its immunization. Hence, there is a need for generating awareness regarding rabies and its immunization. The nursing students should be sensitized so that their knowledge can be converted into appropriate practices when they will be posted in hospitals as nursing staff. How to cite this article Panat S, Singh A, Joshi HS, Upadhyay D. A Cross-sectional Study on Awareness regarding Animal Bite Wound Management and Rabies Immunization among Students of a School of Nursing in a City of India. Int J Adv Integ Med Sci 2017;2(4):193-197.

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