ABSTRACT
Rabies is 100% fatal zoonotic disease which can be prevented by appropriate anti rabies post exposure prophylaxis. The incidence of animal bite is managed poorly due to ignorance and rampant myths & misconceptions. It is discovered that a vital time period is lost in taking medical aid as people due to ignorance opt for traditional medications the authenticity of which is not completely established. Aims & objectives: 1) To study the social, demographic characteristics of victims of animal bites. 2) To study the treatment seeking behavior of persons and to find their correlations. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study. The respondents were selected amongst new cases of animal bites attending Anti Rabies clinic of Gandhi medical college Bhopal M.P. India for 3 months using pretested questionnaire. Data was analyzed & interpreted using percentages and tests of significance using Epi info 7. Results: Out of total 315 cases of animal bite nearly 38.75% were below 15 years of age. In total, 82.5% cases were bitten by dogs. The majority of cases (73%) had a category III bite, only 45% consulted within 24 hours of the bite. Nearly 9% did not wash the wound with soap & water instead applied home remedies or opted for traditional or non-allopathic treatment. A statistically significant (P <0.0001) association was found between educational status & knowledge of fatality due to rabies. Conclusions: Rising level of literacy enhances knowledge about the fatality of rabies.