Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Rabies among Human and Animal Health Professionals in Senegal

Rabies is still a public health problem in Senegal. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices on rabies among human and animal health professionals. It was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study conducted in the Kaffrine district. Data were collected from 28 June to 01 July 2021. An exhaustive recruitment was done, and the final sample size was 95 health professionals. R software was used for descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses. Health professionals with sufficient knowledge, positive attitudes and good practices in relation to rabies represented 35.8%, 26.3% and 45.3% of the study respectively. The results of the multivariate analysis showed that professionals who worked in urban areas (AOR = 11.10; 95% CI = [3.50-41.69]) and who worked in animal health (AOR = 7.45; 95% CI = [1.16-70.40]) were more likely to have sufficient knowledge about rabies. Professionals with tertiary education (AOR = 12.40; CI95% = [1.80-268.00]) and with sufficient knowledge (AOR = 3.41; CI95% = [1.01-12.70]) were more likely to have a positive attitude about rabies. Professionals with a positive attitude about rabies (AOR = 3.23; 95% CI = [1.08-10.70]) were more likely to have a good practice when presented with an animal bite case. These results suggest that improving health professionals' knowledge about rabies is essential in order to influence their attitudes and practices against rabies.

Automated summary

The study found that in Senegal, 35.8% of healthcare professionals have sufficient knowledge about rabies, 26.3% have a positive attitude, and 45.3% exhibit good practices. Professionals working in urban areas and in animal health are more likely to have sufficient knowledge about rabies. Those with tertiary education and sufficient knowledge are more likely to have a positive attitude, and professionals with a positive attitude are more likely to have good practices when facing animal bite cases.