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Akanbi et al. One Health Implement Res 2023;3:135-47 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/ohir.2023.29 Page 137

in the state is lower than the 70% recommended by the World Health Organisation has been reported in the
[15]
state . Hence, the residents are at a high risk of rabies exposure, and this raises concerns about the progress
towards achieving the global strategic plan to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by the year
[17]
[16]
2030 . Since health literacy is pivotal in the prevention and control of infectious diseases , this study was
conducted to assess the knowledge of and attitudes to rabies exposure and prophylaxis, as well as the
practices and other associated factors that affect rabies exposure and prophylaxis among dog owners in
Ogun State, Nigeria.

METHODS
The study was conducted in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria, from July 2020 to July 2021. The sample size
was calculated using the formula n = Z P(1-P)/d , where n was the sample size, Z was the level of
2
2[18]
confidence (95%), P was the expected prevalence (50% was used), and d was precision (5%). The formula
yielded a minimum sample size of 384. Seven (i.e., one-third) of the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in
Ogun State were selected using systematic random sampling. Two wards per LGA (n = 14) were randomly
selected and six streets per ward (n = 84) were then selected using systematic random sampling. A total of
five hundred (n = 500) dog-owning houses were selected from the streets. Using the face-to-face interviewer
method, a pre-tested and structured questionnaire with close-ended questions, which were grouped into
four sections, was used to collect data on the dog owners’ socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of
and attitudes to rabies exposure and prophylaxis and the dog owners’ practices during rabies exposure and
prophylaxis. Scoring of their knowledge, attitudes, and practices was done as described in a previous
study . To score the respondents’ knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to rabies exposure and
[19]
prophylaxis, each correct option to the questions was assigned one (1) point, while the incorrect options
were assigned zero (0) point. Only respondents with at least an average of the total correct points were
deemed to possess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with lower rabies risk. In addition, any
dog owner whose dog was not vaccinated against rabies up to date was regarded to demonstrate practices
associated with higher rabies risk.

Statistical analysis
Data obtained from the study were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test to identify
the association between the socio-demographic characteristics of the dog owners, their knowledge of and
attitudes to rabies exposure and prophylaxis, and their practices in the context of rabies exposure and
prophylaxis. The level of significance was set at α = 0.05 .
[20]
RESULTS
Socio-demographic characteristics of dog owners interviewed in Ogun State
Of the 500 dog owners, the majority (53.0%; 265 of 500) were female; younger than 32 years (54.6%; 273 of
500); of the Yoruba ethnic group (n = 456; 91.2%; 456 of 500); had primary to secondary education (53.2%;
266 of 500); owned private businesses (34.2%; 171 of 500) and had kept dogs continuously for five years or
less (52.0%; 260 of 500) [Table 1].

Awareness and knowledge of dog owners about rabies
Of the 500 dog owners, a vast majority (86.4%; 432 of 500) had heard about rabies before mostly from
friends and family members (46.5%; 201 of 500), less than half (37.4%; 187 of 500) knew that other
mammals, besides dogs, could be infected with rabies, 135 (27.0%) stated that only adult and stray dogs
could be infected and 62 (12.4%) knew that rabies could be transmitted through licks and contact of infected
saliva with skin wounds and mucous membranes. Only 118 (23.6%) knew dogs could be rabid yet be calm.
About a quarter (23.2%; 116 of 500) believed that herbs and concoctions, which have not been scientifically
proven to be effective, were capable of preventing rabies [Table 2].