RESUMO
Objective: To estimate the burden of recently reported cases of dog bite in a tertiary care center of Karachi and to analyze the awareness of these victims or their attendants about dog bite or rabies
Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted during January to June 2008 at Emergency department of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Our sample was comprised of 393 patients, reporting first time after stray dog bite incident. The relevant information was obtained regarding patients' age, gender, details of injury, management and patients' knowledge about dog bite and rabies. SPSS 13 was used to manage data and perform analysis
Results: It was found that 83% of the victims were males and 52.4% were of less than 15 years of age. In our data, 26.7% victims reported within twenty-four hours of the dog bite. Mapping of dog bite cases revealed that 24% belonged to Orangi town while 14% each from North Karachi and Nazimabad. Knowledge of people related to rabies was very poor and 91% did not know that rabies could result after dog bite. Only 7% knew that rabies is a fatal disease and 0.7% responded that it can be prevented by vaccines
Conclusion: Dog bite is a significant public health problem among young males with preponderance in certain areas of Karachi. Lack of education of people and lack of health communication reflected well through carefree practices and attitude of victims of dog bite