Dog bites; assessment of burden, determinants and public services available for their victims in district Lahore

ABSTRACT

Every day, 25-30 new cases of dog bites are treated at the civil hospital in Karachi. In absence of accurate number of rabies deaths, Infectious Disease Society of Pakistan suggests there are around 2000-5000 rabies deaths per year[2]. The estimated prevalence of dog bites in Punjab is 0.03%, but no such estimate is available for Lahore[3]. A community-based survey was carried out to assess the burden, determinants and public services available for dog bites in Lahore district, Pakistan. The prevalence of dog bites in the study population was 21.3%. The most common site of bites was the legs [68.4%], followed by the abdomen or trunk [12.1%], and hands or arms [5.6%]. Among respondents to an exit interview administered to clients seeking care from an antirabies centre, the most frequent age group of victims of dog bites was 16-60 years [53.4%]. The majority of respondents had been bitten by stray dogs [63], while 47 respondents were bitten by their own or others' pet dogs. Six respondents reported bites from rabid dogs. One hundred and seven [107] respondents said they had received vaccination at dog-bite centers; 89% of respondents confirmed the availability of vaccine, while 74.1% respondents said that they did not pay fees for services. The life-time prevalence of dog bites among respondents was 21.3%. The most frequent age group of victims of dog bites was 16-60 years. Both stray and pet dogs had bitten the victims