Self wound management practices before attending antirabies vaccine clinic

In India almost 20000 people die (40% of world death) each year from rabies. Most of these deaths could be prevented by post exposure prophylaxis with wound washing, rabies immunoglobulin & vaccination. Local wound management alone can reduce viral load by up to 80%.

To study selfwound management practices in animal exposure patients before attending a tertiary level ARV clinic.

Data regarding wound management was collected by individual interview of patients attending the ARV clinic during OCT 2011 to MAR 2012. The data collected in the form of a questionnaire. Analysis of data was done in the Department Of Community Medicine, V.S.S. Medical College, Burla.

Total 493 cases of animal exposure were attended during the study period. Most common biting animal was dog (94.5%). 31% of cases were under the age of 10 years & 23% belongs to the age of 10–19 years. Male to female ratio was 3: 1. Most of the cases (91%) were of category III exposure. Immediate management of wound was practiced by 63 -77% of cases before visiting ARV clinic; only 2% wash the wound with running water & soap for 15 minutes. 39% of cases applied Dettollsavlon at the wound side & other 38% applied turmeric, red chilli, kerosene, Band-Aid & ghee locally. Most cases (61%) reported to ARV clinic within 24hours.