INTRODUCTION:

“Prevention is the best medicine, and vaccination is the best prevention against rabies.” -WHO

Rabies is a viral zoonotic neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the rabies virus belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family. It is a vaccine-preventable disease occurring in more than 150 countries and territories. An ancient ailment, it remains the most dreaded among all contagious diseases. Dog bites cause more than 99% of all rabies transmission to humans. Since there is no effective therapy for rabies, it is imperative to prevent the disease after animal exposure. Out of all the diagnosed cases of rabies, 14 survivors have been documented, with five of those being from India¹.

According to the WHO, rabies endangers over 3.3 billion people globally, with roughly 59,000 annual human deaths—primarily in Asia (59.6%) and Africa (36.4%)—linked to dog-transmitted infections².

According to the government of India, in 2024, India reported approximately 22 lakh dog bite cases, resulting in 48 deaths. The total number of animal bite cases registered across the country is 26,99,850, and out of it, around 20% of victims were children.

Gujarat Government had decided to provide anti rabies vaccine free- of- cost to patients belonging to Above Poverty Line (APL). It will entail an additional expenditure of Rs.8.75 crore annually. The decision was taken at the state cabinet meeting with Chief Minister Narendra Modi in 18-01-2012¹².

According to the State Health Department, in 2022, there were 95,000 dog bite cases, and 21 rabies deaths were reported. In 2023, over 3,06,000 dog bite cases and 25 deaths related to rabies occurred, and in 2024, Kerala reported 3.17 lakh dog bite cases and 22 rabies deaths have been reported. The highest number of stray dog bites was recorded in Thiruvananthapuram in 2024, 50,870, followed by Kollam, 37,618⁵. In 2025, there have been 13 deaths have occurred so far⁴. 5 people at Vallikunnu near Kayamkulam sustained injuries after being bitten by stray dogs⁵Dogs are typically the primary carriers of rabies to people¹¹.

NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY:

Rabies is a worldwide zoonotic disease that occurs in many countries and territories. About 26,000 to 55,000 deaths caused by rabiesreported in Africa and Asia. A recent report of Kerala in 2025 shows that 5 people at Vallikunnu near Kayamkulam sustained injuries after being bitten by stray dogs⁵followed by A 17-year-old boy from Karumadi in the Alappuzha district of Kerala died of rabies on May 9, 2025. In a separate incident, a 65-year-old man also succumbed to rabies in July 2025^6, and A 6-year-old girl from Peruvalloor in Malappuram district died of rabies on April 28, 2025⁷& a 13-year-old girl died on April 18, 2025, in Pathanamthitta due to rabies⁸.

A study to assess the effectiveness of a structured teaching programme on knowledge of mothers regarding management of dog bites and prevention of rabies among children, undergoing treatment in the anti-rabies vaccine outpatient department at the Institute of Child Health and the hospital for children. The result of the study shows that the mothers acquire more knowledge about 21.05% score than pre-test. The main difference between the pre-test and post-test was 10.929⁹.

A study was conducted to assess the knowledge regarding rabies and its management among 10-to 15-year-old adolescent students. The study was conducted in the rural area of Bhandu village in Mehsana district, Gujarat. The study result shows that about 12 people (20%) were reported to have moderately adequate knowledge, and 48 people (80%) were reported to have inadequate knowledge during the pre-test. The post-test value shows that 11 people (18.33%) reported adequate knowledge and 44 people (73.34%) reported moderately adequate knowledge¹⁰.

The above-stated incidence shows that there is an urgent need to bring awareness regarding rabies and management of dog bites in the community the requirement; Hence, we felt a need to undertake this research study.

Community awareness about rabies is very crucial in rabies prevention and control. For efficiency awareness, the knowledge gap among community should be identifies and targeted. Community awareness of all aspects of rabies is generally limited, such as first aid and management of animal bites pre and post exposure prophylaxis¹³

The most widely used method of determining the effectiveness of inactivated antirabic vaccines is the mice vaccination test, which is inaccurate and time consuming. Currently, the serological method is used, which allows quantifying the effectiveness of a vaccine. The multidose serological analysis may be used to quantify the immunogenicity of inactivated antirabic vaccines in veterinary use.¹⁴

In addition, vaccination is a highly effective approach to disease control in veterinary health care. Vaccine is a molecular or supramolecular agent that is an enhanced adaptive immune response to re-infection by pathogenic agents through the potentiation of immune memory.¹⁵

Recent studies in bioimmunochemistry showed the peptides from viruses that can be used as important parts of epitopes to trigger immune responses13,14,15. In this study, bioinformatics analysis was used to reveal T-cell epitope prediction data for the rabies virus protein P as a target. Protein P samples were collected from Southeast Asia Isolate via the GeneBank database. The results of this study can be used as reference data for vaccine design studies to eliminate the rabies virus.¹⁶

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A study to assess knowledge regarding rabies and management of dog bites in selected school of Pathanamthitta District with a view to develop an information booklet.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

1. What is the level of knowledge among school students regarding rabies, its transmission, symptoms and prevention?

2. What is the level of knowledge among students regarding the first aid and appropriate management of dog bites?

3. Is there any association between the knowledge level and selected demographic variables?

4. What areas of rabies and dog bite management do students lack knowledge in, indicating the need for health education?

AIM:

To assess the knowledge of school students in a selected school in Pathanamthitta district regarding rabies and the management of dog bites, with the goal of identifying educational needs and promoting preventive health practices.

OBJECTIVE:

· Assess the knowledge about rabies and management of dog bites in selected schoolsof Pathanamthitta district.

· Find out the association between the knowledge regarding dog bites with selected socio-demographic variables.

· Develop an informative booklet on rabies and the management of dog bites.

ASSUMPTIONS:

The study assumes that children in selected schools of Pathanamthitta district may have some knowledge regarding Rabies and the management of dog bites.

Hypothesis

H1: There will be a significant association between knowledge regarding rabies and management of dog bites in selected school children of Pathanamthitta District.

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS:

1. Knowledge: In this study, it refers to the awareness of students regarding rabies and management of dog bites as measured by the responses to the structured questionnaire.

2. Rabies: In this study, rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals. The rabies virus is usually transmitted through a bite. Animals most likely to transmit rabies in the United States include bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and skunks.

3. Dog bite: In this study, A "dog bite" refers to a bite wound inflicted by a dog, which can range from minor to severe injuries, potentially leading to infection, disfigurement, or even death, and requires prompt medical attention.

4. Managing a dog bite: In this study, it involves immediate first aid to control bleeding and clean the wound, followed by seeking medical attention to assess the severity of the bite and potential for infection or rabies exposure. Early and thorough wound care is crucial to minimize the risk of complications.

5. Selected schools: In this study, A School is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers.

6. Informative booklet: In this study, it is a small, printed booklet that gives information regarding rabies and the management of dog bites.

Conceptual framework:

The conceptual framework represents the researcher’s synthesis of literature on how to express a phenomenon. The conceptual framework in this study is based on the health promotion model proposed by Nola J Pender (1982). This model describes the multidimensional nature of persons as they interact within their environment to perceive health

SECTION -A

Figure 1 Percentage Distribution of School Student n=60

The Fig reveals that out of 60 students, (20) 33.3% belongs to 14 years of age, (20)33.3% belongs to 15 years of age, (14) 23.3% belongs to 16 years of age and (6)10% belongs to 17 years of age.

Figure 2 Percentage Distribution of School Students according to Gender n=60

Fig reveals that out of 60 students, (31) 51.6% are males and (29) 48.3% are females.

Figure 3 Percentage Distribution of School Students according to Education n=60

Fig reveals that out of 60 students (42) 70% belongs to high school and (18) 30% belongs to higher secondary.

Figure 4 Percentage Distribution of School Students according to Religion n=60

Fig reveals that out of 60 students, (16) 26.6% are Hindus, (36) 56.6% are Christians and (8)16.6% are Muslims.

Figure 5 Percentage Distribution of School Students according to Area of Residence n=60

Fig reveals that out of 60 students, (43) 71.6% are living in an urban area and (17) 28.3% are living in a rural area.

Figure 6 Percentage Distribution of School Students according to Family Income n=60

Fig reveals that out of 60 students,(15) 25.1%have a family income between 20,001- 30,000, (20) 33.3% have a family income between 30,001- 40,000, and (25) 41.6% have a family income between 40,001-50,000.

SECTION B: Knowledge of School Students regarding Rabies and Management of Dog Bite:

Figure 2.8 Knowledge of School Students regarding Rabies and Management of Dog Bite

Fig shows that out of 60 students, (8)13.30% have poor knowledge, (51) 85% have average knowledge and (1) 1.60% have good knowledge.

SECTION C: ASSOCIATION BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE OF PEOPLE AND SELECTED SOCIO DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES:

Table: 1 Association between knowledge of people and selected socio demographic variables

VARIABLES

POOR

AVERAGE

GOOD

EXCELLENT

CHI SQURE VALUE

P -VALUE

REMARKS

Age

14 years

15 years

16 years

17 years

5.2877

0.0215

Significant

Gender

Male

Female

1.4546

0.2278

Not significant

Educational status

Upper primary

High school

Higher secondary

0.5696

0.4504

Not significant

RELEGION

Hindu

Christian

Muslim

0.9573

0.3279

NOT SIGNIFICANT

Area of residence

Urban

Rural

5.9242

0.0149

Significant

DISCUSSION:

OBJECTIVE 1: Assess the knowledge regarding rabies and management of dog bites among selected school in Pathanamthitta district.

Comparative analysis of two studies on rabies and management of dog bites reveals distinct differences in knowledge levels among participants. The present study found that 1.60% of students have good knowledge regarding the prevention of rabies and the management of dog bites. While 13.30% students have poor knowledge and 85% of students have average knowledge. Conversely, a similar study conducted among higher secondary school students in selected schools of Pune city, 2019 reported that 3.50% students had poor knowledge, 44.50% students had less knowledge, 40.50% students had average knowledge, and 11.50% students had good knowledge. These findings suggest that targeted education and awareness programs can significantly impact knowledge levels regarding dog bites and their management.

OBJECTIVE 2: Determine the association between the knowledge regarding rabies and management of dog bites with selected socio-demographic variables

In the present study, there is a significant association between gender, education, religion, area of residence and there is no significant association between age and family income. A comparable study titled "Assess the Effectiveness of a Planned Teaching Awareness Programme on Rabies and Management of Dog Bite Among Students of Selected High School in Kottayam District Kerala, 2024. The result shows that the post-test mean percentage was 75% which is higher than the mean pre-test knowledge of 39.6%. The planned teaching programme was found effective as the paired t. There is no association between demographic variables and knowledge regarding rabies and management of dog bites, except for previous information about rabies vaccine.

OBJECTIVE 3: Develop an informational booklet on rabies and management of dog bites

In the current study, it was observed that only 1.60% of students have good knowledge regarding rabies and the management of dog bites. While 13.30% of students have poor knowledge. A large portion, 85% of students, have average knowledge. Although an information booklet was distributed to the students, no follow-up study was carried out to assess its impact. A comparable study titled 'A study to assess the knowledge regarding prevention and management of dog bite among adults residing at selected areas of Pallithottam, Kollam to develop an information booklet' conducted on 04 April 2004 at selected areas of Pallithottam, Kollam among 200 participants, revealed that 15.5% have good knowledge, 65.5% have average knowledge and 19% have poor knowledge and there was significant association between age, sex, religion, marital status, education, occupation, monthly income. Based on the findings, the investigators have drawn implications that were of vital concern in the field of nursing practice, nursing administration, and nursing education for future development.

LIMITATIONS:

· This study was limited to School Children.

· There was insufficient time allowed to observe the change in attitude.

SCOPE FOR FUTURE STUDIES:

RECOMMENDATION:

· A similar study can be replicated in a large sample in a different setting to generalise the findings

· A case study can be conducted to identify the risk factors.

· More studies can be conducted to find out the factors to prevent dog bite

CONCLUSION:

According to the main study

· Only 1.60% of students have good knowledge regarding rabies and the management of dog bites.

· 85% of students have average knowledge regarding rabies and the management of dog bites.

· 13.30% of students have poor knowledge regarding rabies and the management of dog bites.

SUMMARY:

The present study was indented to assess the knowledge regarding rabies and management of dog bite. A descriptive research design was used for the study. The conceptual framework was based on Nola J Pender Health promotion model (revised on 1996). The study was conducted in a selected school in Pathanamthitta. Here we conducted our study among 60 students which were selected by non probability purposive sampling technique. Baseline variables and knowledge level of rabies and management of dog bites were assessed using structured knowledge questionnaire on rabies and management of dog bite. Analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The knowledge was assessed using frequency and percentage. Chi square test was used to assess the association between knowledge score and selected baseline variables. Key findings from the study are 13.30% students have poor knowledge, 85% have average knowledge and 1.60% have good knowledge regarding rabies and management of dog bite.

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Received on 04.10.2025 Revised on 25.10.2025

Accepted on 10.11.2025 Published on 23.02.2026

Available online from February 28, 2026

Int. J. of Advances in Nursing Management. 2026;14(1):17-22.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2652.2026.00004

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