Abstract:
Background: In Africa an estimated 21,476 human deaths occur each year due to dog mediated rabies (36.4%) of global human deaths with loss of 1.34 million Death adjusted life year. Rising incidence of rabies among human and domestic animal is an increasing concern In Ethiopia. Lack of knowledge regarding human rabies and poor management practices as well as regarding responsible dog ownership has been identified as a major cause for the sustained presence of this 4000-year-old disease in the modern world. Objectives; The purpose of this study is to assess community Knowledge and practice towards rabies management and associated factors among household heads in Bahir Dar Zuria Woreda, West Gojjam, North-west Ethiopia 2018. Methods; Community based cross-sectional study Design Was conducted among 310 household heads. From May 2018 to August 2018 G/C. First census was conducted to identify rabid suspected dog bite victims in the woreda and simple random sampling was used to select study participants. Pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data was entered in to EpiData version3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Descriptive, both Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to determine factors associated with Knowledge and practice towards rabies management. Result A total of 310 household heads participated in the study. There was misunderstanding about the causes, source, and transmission and incubation period of rabies. Knowledge score revealed that 58.4% of the respondents had a good Knowledge, towards rabies and good practice towards rabies management score was 39.7%. Conclusion and recommendation Knowledge deficiency was observed regarding cause, mode of transmission, incubation period and prevention methods of rabies. . The result of this study indicates the majority of Bahirdar zuria district inhabitants receive treatment by traditional healer after exposure to rabid suspected dog bite Better enable Preventive dog vaccination and PEP more often to be available at veterinary clinic and health facilities respectively.