Department of Statistics, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Research Article
Assessing the Impact of Health Education on Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Rabies Prevention Amongst Dog Owners in Eastern Cape
Author(s): Mfundelwa Wilbert Zangwa*, Jimmy Hussein Kihara, Kirstie Eastwood, Wilma Ten-Ham-Baloyi, Opeoluwa Oyedele and Paula Ezinne Melariri
Although rabies is a deadly contagious zoonotic disease, it is fully preventable through vaccination of dogs and health education. In this study, we sought to assess the impact of health education on the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding rabies prevention and control by dog owners in rural and semi-urban communities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A quantitative, quasi-experimental, one-group, pre-post-test, research design was used. Pre and post-data were collected from 203 and 198 participants, respectively in a door-to-door strategy using a structured questionnaire. An educational intervention including pamphlets and posters with information on rabies was implemented. Data were analysed using dependent samples t-tests. The knowledge scores for pre-to and post- education intervention were 20.7% and 23.2%, attitude scores were 24.7% and 25.4%, respectively .. View more»