Factors Influencing Treatment of Animal Bite and Prevailing Practices Regarding Wound Care among Cases Attending Referral Hospital of Ahmedabad City, Gujarat

Abstract

Introduction: In rabies endemic country like India, where every animal bite is potentially suspected as rabid animal bite the treatment should be started immediately. Objective: To study socio demographic profile, delay in seeking treatment and wound treatment at home among the animal bite cases. Method: Records of Animal bite cases from January-June 2016 were analyzed and 155 patients (12.5%) with animal bite were interviewed, after taking their informed verbal consent. Results: Total 1225 cases, 836 (68.2 %) were males and 389(31.8%) were females. Among them 1121 (91.5%) were category II bites and 558(45.6%) patients had missed one or more doses. There was statistically significant association between age groups and the doses missed and between gender and the doses missed. Among the 155 interviewed, 100(64.5%) were males and 55(35.5%) were females. About 90(58%) came to health facility within 24 hours of the bite. About 50 (32.3%) subjects missed to take the dose on scheduled date after taking the first dose. Only 61(39.4%) performed correct wound treatment at home. Association between action taken for wound treatment and gender was statistically significant. Association for delay in taking the next doses after the first dose and age group was statistically highly significant. Conclusion: Most cases of animal bite were dog bite cases. More than half reached the health facility within 24 hours. More than half treated the wound incorrectly at home.

Keywords

• animal bite
• referral hospital
• wound treatment