A descriptive study was carried out in a rural area of Amritsar district to evaluate the awareness and perception of the local population regarding rabies and its management. The study sample consisted of 60 participants, and data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The findings revealed that the highest proportion of participants (45%) belonged to the age group of 18–27 years. In terms of gender distribution, males constituted the majority, accounting for 73.33% of the sample. When examining marital status and knowledge levels, it was observed that 60% of married individuals demonstrated a higher level of awareness about rabies compared to their unmarried counterparts. Educational background also played a significant role, with 48.33% of participants  completed their primary education. Religion-wise, a significant majority (88.33%) of the respondents were identified as Muslim. The study also explored the sources through which individuals obtained information related to rabies. Newspapers emerged as the most common source of knowledge, indicating the importance of print media in disseminating health-related information in rural communities. The study highlights the need for targeted awareness campaigns and educational interventions, particularly focusing on groups with limited access to formal education or healthcare services. Increasing public knowledge about rabies prevention and timely management can play a crucial role in reducing its incidence and ensuring better health outcomes in rural populations.

Keywords: Rabies awareness, rural health, health education, perception and knowledge,

community-based study

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1. Basvanthappa BT. Textbook of nursing research. 1st ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers; p. 120–5.
2. Kothari CR. Research methodology. 6th ed. New Delhi: New Age International; p. 456–67.
3. Manual of biostatistics. 3rd ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers; p. 39–60.
4. Essentials in community health nursing practice. 1st ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers; p. 168–78.
5. Park K. Textbook of preventive and social medicine. 20th ed. Jabalpur: Banarsidas Bhanot; p. 239–40.
6. Hanlon CA. Preventive community and promotional health. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: William Brothers; p. 1444–6.
7. Sugiymam SH. Molecular epidemiology of rabies. 2008 ed. London: Mathew; p. 144–9.
8. Jackson AC. Human disease in rabies. 2nd ed. London: Christeane Flintoff; 2007. p. 309–40.
9. Knobel DL. A textbook of research and biostatistics. 3rd ed. New York: Cherie Rector; p. 122–5.
10. Allender JA. Promoting and protecting the public’s health. 7th ed. Boston: Kristine D. Warner; p. 334–8.
11. Warrell MJ. Manual for practices of nursing. 4th ed. Oxford: Celestine W. Mary; p. 123–30.
12. Lancaster J. Public health nursing. 8th ed. New York: Francis A. Maurer; p. 456–78.
13. Morries J. Crowcraft NS. Pre-exposure rabies booster vaccination. 7th ed. London: Jean Marriot; p. 23–9.
14. Stanhope M. Foundations of nursing in community. 3rd ed. New York: Jeanette Lancaster; p. 234–56.
15. McEwen M. Community-based nursing. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Bridgette Pullis; p. 67–9.
16. Lundy KS. Caring for the public’s health. 2nd ed. Boston: Sharyn Janes; p. 122–34.
17. Clarke MJ. Advocacy for population health. 5th ed. London: Dummer; p. 37–40.
18. Allander JA. Community and home health nursing. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott; p. 178–80.
19. Widyastuti MD, Bardosh KL, Sunandar, Basri C, Basuno E, Jatikusumah A, et al. On dogs, people, and a rabies epidemic: Results from a sociocultural study in Bali, Indonesia. Infect Dis Poverty. 2015 Jun 30;4:30. doi:10.1186/s40249-015-0061-1. PMID: 26137295; PMCID: PMC4486702.
20. Tenzin T, Namgyal J, Letho S. Community-based survey during rabies outbreaks in Rangjung town, Trashigang, Eastern Bhutan, 2016. BMC Infect Dis. 2017 Apr 17;17(1):281. doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2393-x. PMID: 28415972; PMCID: PMC5393039.

A descriptive study was carried out in a rural area of Amritsar district to evaluate the awareness and perception of the local population regarding rabies and its management. The study sample consisted of 60 participants, and data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The findings revealed that the highest proportion of participants (45%) belonged to the age group of 18–27 years. In terms of gender distribution, males constituted the majority, accounting for 73.33% of the sample. When examining marital status and knowledge levels, it was observed that 60% of married individuals demonstrated a higher level of awareness about rabies compared to their unmarried counterparts. Educational background also played a significant role, with 48.33% of participants  completed their primary education. Religion-wise, a significant majority (88.33%) of the respondents were identified as Muslim. The study also explored the sources through which individuals obtained information related to rabies. Newspapers emerged as the most common source of knowledge, indicating the importance of print media in disseminating health-related information in rural communities. The study highlights the need for targeted awareness campaigns and educational interventions, particularly focusing on groups with limited access to formal education or healthcare services. Increasing public knowledge about rabies prevention and timely management can play a crucial role in reducing its incidence and ensuring better health outcomes in rural populations.

Keywords: Rabies awareness, rural health, health education, perception and knowledge,

community-based study

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Basvanthappa BT. Textbook of nursing research. 1st ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers; p. 120–5.
2. Kothari CR. Research methodology. 6th ed. New Delhi: New Age International; p. 456–67.
3. Manual of biostatistics. 3rd ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers; p. 39–60.
4. Essentials in community health nursing practice. 1st ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers; p. 168–78.
5. Park K. Textbook of preventive and social medicine. 20th ed. Jabalpur: Banarsidas Bhanot; p. 239–40.
6. Hanlon CA. Preventive community and promotional health. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: William Brothers; p. 1444–6.
7. Sugiymam SH. Molecular epidemiology of rabies. 2008 ed. London: Mathew; p. 144–9.
8. Jackson AC. Human disease in rabies. 2nd ed. London: Christeane Flintoff; 2007. p. 309–40.
9. Knobel DL. A textbook of research and biostatistics. 3rd ed. New York: Cherie Rector; p. 122–5.
10. Allender JA. Promoting and protecting the public’s health. 7th ed. Boston: Kristine D. Warner; p. 334–8.
11. Warrell MJ. Manual for practices of nursing. 4th ed. Oxford: Celestine W. Mary; p. 123–30.
12. Lancaster J. Public health nursing. 8th ed. New York: Francis A. Maurer; p. 456–78.
13. Morries J. Crowcraft NS. Pre-exposure rabies booster vaccination. 7th ed. London: Jean Marriot; p. 23–9.
14. Stanhope M. Foundations of nursing in community. 3rd ed. New York: Jeanette Lancaster; p. 234–56.
15. McEwen M. Community-based nursing. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Bridgette Pullis; p. 67–9.
16. Lundy KS. Caring for the public’s health. 2nd ed. Boston: Sharyn Janes; p. 122–34.
17. Clarke MJ. Advocacy for population health. 5th ed. London: Dummer; p. 37–40.
18. Allander JA. Community and home health nursing. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott; p. 178–80.
19. Widyastuti MD, Bardosh KL, Sunandar, Basri C, Basuno E, Jatikusumah A, et al. On dogs, people, and a rabies epidemic: Results from a sociocultural study in Bali, Indonesia. Infect Dis Poverty. 2015 Jun 30;4:30. doi:10.1186/s40249-015-0061-1. PMID: 26137295; PMCID: PMC4486702.
20. Tenzin T, Namgyal J, Letho S. Community-based survey during rabies outbreaks in Rangjung town, Trashigang, Eastern Bhutan, 2016. BMC Infect Dis. 2017 Apr 17;17(1):281. doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2393-x. PMID: 28415972; PMCID: PMC5393039.