Compliance of Animal Bite Patients Managed by Intramuscular Route of Anti-rabies Vaccination

Abstract

Rabies, a zoonotic disease, is one of the oldest diseases affecting humans. Intramuscular anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) has been the mainstay of management of postanimal bites for rabies. This prospective study was conducted at ARV Clinic of the District hospital (Jamnabai Hospital), Vadodara to know the compliance of animal bite patients managed by intramuscular route of ARV and the reasons for delay or missing the Scheduled dosage of the same. Out of total 250 patients, those who missed the scheduled dosage of ARV and never returned to the ARV Clinic were followed and their reasons for delay or missing the scheduled dosage were recorded. They were also enquired about whether they had received the scheduled dosage of ARV at any other ARV clinic or not. Compliance was seen in 62.8% of the patients. Compliance was highest in adolescent age group (10–19 years) and it was lower in patients >50 years of age. Compliance was more in below poverty line (BPL) patients than above poverty line (APL) patients. Personal or official workload, followed by patient’s forgetfulness about the scheduled date of vaccination were some of the main reasons for not coming regularly to the ARV clinic to receive next scheduled dosage of ARV. Compliance to ARV was low. It was lower in children (<10 years) and adults (>50 years). Affordability was issue for low compliance.

Keywords: Animal bite, Rabies, ARV, Intramuscular injection, India