KNOWLEDGE OF RABIES AND POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING THE OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT OF A RURAL PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRE IN TIRUNELVELI: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Rabies is an almost universally fatal zoonotic encephalitis that continues to pose a significant public health challenge in rural India. Despite the availability of effective post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), preventable deaths persist owing to inadequate community awareness of transmission routes and appropriate bite management. Objective: To assess knowledge of rabies and PEP among patients attending the outpatient department of a rural primary health centre in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2024 among 506 participants recruited by simple random sampling. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire comprising sociodemographic details and 18 close-ended knowledge items. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test (p < 0.05) were used for analysis. Results: Most participants were aged 36–50 years (38.3%); 54.5% were female. Only 40.3% had heard of rabies, and 31.2% correctly identified all routes of transmission. Awareness of preventability was present in 54.2%, yet only 41.9% recognised the fatal nature of the disease and 42.1% believed it to be treatable. Awareness of rabies immunoglobulin was critically low (8.7%). Although 74.7% reported practising first aid after an animal bite, 44.3% did not know the correct post-bite action. Conclusion: Knowledge of rabies and PEP was deficient across multiple domains. Targeted community health education programmes addressing transmission, vaccine dosing, and passive immunisation are warranted.