Human rabies exposure and associated risk factors in North-West Ethiopia.

Objectives: The study was conducted to assess community awareness of rabies, and incidence of human rabies exposure and its associated risk factors. Study design: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to assess community awareness of rabies, and incidence of human rabies exposure and associated risk factors. Method: A total of 642 study participants were selected using multistage cluster sampling from seven districts in Gondar zones in northwest Ethiopia. Data was collected using a questionnaire by face-to-face interviews. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify associations between rabies exposure and potential risk factors. Results: The incidence of rabies exposure in the current study was estimated to be 20.95 % per year. Almost all (99.68 %) of respondents were aware of the existence of rabies, and 98.44 % of them know that rabies is a zoonotic disease. Residents of Genda Wuha (OR = 7.68) and Metema districts (OR = 7.12) had a greater risk of rabies exposure compared to those living in Debre Tabor district. Dog ownership (OR = 1.61) was greater risk for rabies exposure than non-dog ownership, larger family size (≥7 members) (OR = 2.23) had greater risk for rabies exposure. Conclusion: The study outlined that although awareness of existence of rabies and its zoonotic risk was high, taking post-exposure prophylaxis was low. Therefore, use post exposure rabies vaccine of should be promoted.