Knowledge of Rabies and Wound Care after Animal Bite among Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC): A Cross-Sectional Study

Vibhuti Chandera; Bhavna Puwar; Vaibhavi Patel; Birenkumar Patel; Bhavin Solanki

doi:10.51957/Healthline_799_2025

Authors

Vibhuti Chandera Postgraduate Student, Community Medicine Department, Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, India Author
Bhavna Puwar Associate Professor, Community Medicine Department, Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, India Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5029-5711
Vaibhavi Patel Associate Professor, Community Medicine Department, Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, India Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1250-0529
Birenkumar Patel Postgraduate Student, Community Medicine Department, Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, India Author
Bhavin Solanki Medical Officer of Health, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Ahmedabad, India Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51957/Healthline_799_2025

Keywords:

Ahmedabad, ASHA workers, Rabies

Abstract

Introduction: Rabies is a vaccine preventable disease having 100% fatality. India is endemic for Rabies accounting for 36% of the world’s Rabies deaths. ASHAs are the grass root level worker who spreads awareness about Rabies and wound care after animal bite. Objectives: 1. To assess the knowledge of Rabies among ASHAs. 2. To assess the knowledge of wound care after animal bite among them. 3. To determine the association of various sociodemographic factors with knowledge of Rabies and wound care after animal bite among ASHA. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 139 ASHAs from Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation selected by stratified random sampling from 86 UPHC from September 2024 to November 2024. A self-administrating questionnaire was used. Results: The mean age of ASHAs was 43.8 ± 8.1 years and mean work experience of 11.6 ± 5.8 years. None of them had any prior training in Rabies or wound care. Dog bite (92.1%) was the commonest source recognized by the majority of participants and 82% thought Rabies is fatal. About 97.1% knew about Rabies vaccine, 20% knew the right number of doses. 62.6% believed in traditional remedies for wound care, while 76.3% knew about washing the wound with soap and water. Total knowledge score was most strongly associated with work experience (p = 0.024). Conclusion: This study identifies lack of knowledge regarding Rabies and appropriate care of wounds following animal bites among ASHA workers in Ahmedabad city suggesting the need for training.

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