A Narrative Review of the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Health-Seeking Practices to Human Rabies and Dog-Bite Injuries in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Human rabies is a zoonotic viral infection transmitted from infected carnivores to other humans through the bites and scratches of unvaccinated dogs. Due to inadequate public knowledge and awareness of the disease, it has persisted as a significant public health concern in Nigeria, especially in rural areas. This review paper summarizes the knowledge and attitudes toward rabies infection and healthseeking practices following dog bites or potential exposure to rabies in Nigeria.

Methods: This narrative review was conducted by reviewing information from peerreviewed journals, case reports, and review articles published in the English language in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, using keywords such as ‘rabies in Nigeria,’ ‘knowledge, attitudes and practices towards rabies and dog bites,’ and ‘health-seeking practices to dog bites.’

Results: Several gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and health-seeking practices were identified; this poor knowledge and attitudes toward the infection in humans, as well as the health-seeking practices employed by most communities in response to dog bite injuries, are responsible for the continuous presence of human rabies in Nigeria.

Conclusion: We recommend public education, community engagement, and collaboration between healthcare facilities and communities to enforce vaccination laws for every dog in the community and report suspected cases of dog bite injuries to trained community healthcare workers equipped with proper protocols for admitting and handling victims of dog bite injuries.