Assessment of household head practices for the control of dog-mediated rabies in South Mugirango sub-County

Abstract

Introduction: rabies remains a critical public health issue in South Mugirango sub-County, Kenya, where dog-mediated rabies persists despite ongoing control efforts. This study evaluates household head practices related to dog-mediated rabies control and identifies key barriers to effective dog vaccination. Methods: a cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted, involving 422 household heads and 22 key informants. Data were collected through usage of structured questionnaires for the quantitative survey and key informant interviews for qualitative insights. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests, were employed to analyze data on vaccination knowledge, practices, and associated challenges. Results: the study found high awareness of rabies among residents, with 72.7% of key informants reporting general knowledge of the disease. However, adherence to dog vaccination was low, with 63.6% of key informants noting infrequent vaccination practices. Key barriers identified included low publicity (27.3%), inadequate funding (13.6%), and logistical issues such as weather conditions (11.2%) and poor infrastructure (7.8%). The role of the household breadwinner significantly influenced vaccination knowledge (chi-square value = 5.4, p-value = 0.029), with fathers being less informed than mothers. Conclusion: despite high awareness of rabies, practical vaccination adherence is hindered by several challenges, including limited public awareness, insufficient funding and infrastructural constraints. Addressing these barriers through targeted educational campaigns, improved funding and enhanced infrastructure could significantly boost vaccination rates and control rabies more effectively in South Mugirango sub-County.