Compliance of animal bite patients managed by intramuscular route of anti-rabies vaccination

Abstract

Background: Rabies, a zoonotic disease, is one of the oldest diseases affecting humans. Intramuscular Anti Rabies Vaccination (ARV) has been the mainstay of management of post animal 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 Anti Rabies Vaccination and the reasons for delay or missing the Scheduled dosage of the same.

Methodology: 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.

Results: Compliance was seen in 62.8% of the patients. Most common reason for delay was personal or official workload (29 patients, 20% responses) followed by patient's forgetfullness about the scheduled date of vaccination (23 patients, 16% responses) were some of the main reasons for not coming regularly to the ARV clinic to receive next scheduled dosage of ARV. 

Conclusion: There are some easily modifiable reasons for the poor compliance of ARV schedule.

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