Post-exposure Rabies Prophylaxis for Children in Southern Turkey

Objective: To evaluate the prophylaxis practices used on children with animal exposures in a major southern city of Turkey, close to the Syrian border. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Emergency and Outpatient departments, Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Turkey between September 2017 and September 2018. Methodology: The demographic data of the patients, who presented due to animal contact; the interval between animal contact and hospital presentation; species of exposed animals, type, and apparent condition of the animals; risk categories based on national assessment scale; the number of rabies vaccines and anti-rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) administrations; administration of tetanus prophylaxis; adherence of patients to the follow-up schedule; vaccine refusals; and development of rabies disease (if any), were recorded. Results: Of the 2,068 presentations after animal exposure, 906 (43.8%) were children, mostly boys (62%), and the mean age was 97.15 +/- 57.68 months. Risky contact was most frequently caused by cats (52.8%) and dogs (45.6%). Exposure to stray animals was the most common (58.5%). For serial prophylaxis vaccinations, 761 (83.99%) families were in full compliance and 145 (16%) families had discontinued vaccinations. The discontinuation rate of the immigrant population was significantly higher (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Risky contacts were mostly due to stray animals. Efforts to minimise the stray animal population should be increased. The rate of discontinuation of rabies prophylaxis follow-ups was 16%. Significantly higher prophylaxis discontinuation among the immigrant population was noted.

Automated summary

The study evaluated prophylaxis practices used on children with animal exposures in a major southern city of Turkey, finding that risky contacts were mostly due to stray animals. The discontinuation rate of rabies prophylaxis follow-ups was 16%, significantly higher among the immigrant population.