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Page 144 Akanbi et al. One Health Implement Res 2023;3:135-47 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/ohir.2023.29

One Health optimisation. Furthermore, with only about a quarter (24.0%) of the respondents complying
with up-to-date rabies vaccination of their dogs, the risk of rabies from dog bites is high. Dog vaccination
coverage lower than the 70% WHO-recommended level is equally a major challenge in some other African
[27]
countries , and this may make achieving the “Zero by Thirty” goal difficult.

Almost a third (29.0%) of the respondents had experienced dog bites. This is lower than the 78% reported in
[9]
a study in Kwara State, Nigeria . However, only a few respondents who had experienced dog bites (8.3%)
practised immediate wound washing with soap and water after the bite, as recommended by the WHO .
[1]
Hence, public health education on first aid rabies prevention in dog bite victims is expedient. Some 22.1% of
the dog bite victims used herbs or concoctions to prevent rabies. This serves as proof that the use of
[28]
traditional medicine to treat diseases is a common practice in Nigeria . Such a practice may be
contributing to the high prevalence of human rabies in Africa. Only a few (23.4%) of the dog bite victims
reported to the hospital for wound management and assessment for rabies vaccine uptake. This is lower
[24]
than the 61.8% reported in another study in which respondents were from Ogun State and indicates a
decline in healthcare-seeking behaviour in the state. The delayed reporting to the hospital by the majority of
the dog bite victims (88.2%) may increase the risk of dog-mediated human rabies. Furthermore, only six of
the dog bite victims (4.1%) took the Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). This is lower than the 66.25%
[24]
previously reported in the state . A third of those who took the PEP (33.3%) failed to complete the regimen
due to the high cost of the human rabies vaccine and the long distance from the hospital to their homes.
This means that low economic power and limited access to healthcare facilities hinder rabies’ PEP uptake
and increase the risk of dog-mediated human rabies. Educating the public on the importance of taking
complete doses of rabies PEP and wider distribution of subsidised or free human rabies vaccine to remote
communities can contribute to addressing these challenges.

The overall levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with higher rabies risk in this study were
37.8%, 59.4%, and 97.6%, respectively. Similar findings have been reported in some other states of Nigeria .
[9]
Age, education, dog ownership, and occupation were the factors associated with rabies-preventive practices.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with higher rabies risks were observed among younger
respondents, those with low or no formal education, those who had only owned dogs for a few years, and
private business owners. This observation is consistent with those of a number of previous studies in
[30]
[29]
Nigeria . Researchers in China also reported that bite victims of suspected rabid dogs with lower levels
of education were less likely to exhibit practices associated with lower rabies risk. Hence, these factors
should be captured in rabies education programmes. This study has also revealed that a greater proportion
of dog owners with higher levels of rabies knowledge had attitudes and engaged in practices associated with
lower rabies risk, as similarly reported by two previous studies [31,32] . Organising programmes aimed at
improving rabies knowledge and ensuring behavioural changes in various settings, such as schools and
communities, will immensely contribute to rabies prevention and control. For instance, including rabies
education in school curricula has been proven to have significantly increased rabies knowledge. Rabies
knowledge improvement has resulted in the reduction of dog bite cases and rabies risk among school
children .
[33]
In conclusion, the rabies knowledge level among the dog owners interviewed in this study was moderately
high. However, knowledge gaps regarding rabies hosts, transmission, signs, and prevention were identified.
Their attitudes to and practices, especially regarding dog vaccination compliance, post-exposure first aid
measures, and prophylaxis, are of great public health concern. Targeting dog owners of younger age, with
low levels of education, owning private businesses, and who have only kept dogs for a few years in rabies
education programmes is of utmost importance. To achieve rabies elimination in Ogun State and fulfil the