1Associate Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan
2Senior Resident, Dept. of Pediatrics, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan
*Corresponding author: Praveen G, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan. Mob No. 09986957773. Email: drgpraveen@gmail.com
Online published on 6 November, 2014.
Rabies continues to be major public health problem in India in-spite of the wide availability of anti rabies vaccine. In India 20,000 dies of rabies annually. The large number of deaths due to rabies can be attributed to people not aware of the various aspects of the disease and its prevention. This study was therefore carried out to assess the knowledge and perception among first year medical college students.
This study was a descriptive study conducted at Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan using a pretested questionnaire.
A total of 90 first year medical college students participated in this study. 80 (88.8%) knew that rabies is caused by virus. 38 (42.2%) knew annual mortality due to rabies in India. 88 (97.7%) knew that rabies is transmitted through bites of an animal. 54 (60%) students knew that rabies is 100% fatal. 44 (48%) students knew the symptoms of rabies. 60 (66.6%) felt that the bites wounds should be washed. 55 (61.1%) knew that an antiseptic to be applied to the wound. 40 (44.4%) students told animal bite wound should not be sutured or bandaged. 15 (16.6%) students knew that 5 doses of vaccine should be taken when bitten by animal. Only 2 (2.2%) were aware of RIGs.
Rabies, Rabies Immunoglobulin, Anti Rabies Vaccine
