KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF HUNTERS AND CATTLE HERDERS TOWARDS RABIES IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Rabies is a highly lethal virus that can affect both humans and warm-blooded animals. In Africa, dogs are the primary source of human rabies cases, with Nigeria being one of the endemic countries. An effective rabies prevention and control strategy relies on the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of dog owners regarding the disease. A study was conducted in Jigawa State, Nigeria, to assess the KAP of hunters and cattle herders to inform rabies prevention and control efforts. A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2021 and November 2022, questionnaires were administered to 295 hunters and cattle herders to assess their KAP regarding rabies. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a Chi-square test at a significance level of P < 0.05. The results showed good knowledge and attitude but poor practice scores of the respondents, with scores of 67.5%, 56.3%, and 45.1%, respectively. The study also found a statistically significant association between the respondents' educational status, age, and occupation and their overall categorized KAP scores (P < 0.005). In conclusion, the KAP scores of the respondents regarding rabies were suboptimal, which poses a public health threat. Therefore, there is a need for routine awareness campaign to boost public knowledge of rabies in a society.