Rabies-Preventive Health Program for Mothers in Maternal and Child Health Centers

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> <bold>Background:</bold> Rabies spreads to people and animals via saliva, usually through bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucosa (e.g. eyes, mouth, or open wounds). Rabies remains a major public health problem in Egypt, with an estimated 60 people dying annually from the disease. <bold>The aim </bold>of this study was to assess the effect of preventive program on mothers' awareness for prevention of rabies.<bold> </bold> <bold>Study Design:</bold> Quasi- experimental research design was utilized in this study. <bold>Setting</bold>: This study was conducted at three major Maternal and child centers (Botors, Embaby and Segar) in Tanta City. <bold>Sample:</bold> A total sample of 150 mothers who attended the child clinic with children aged 6-12 years. <bold>Tools:</bold> three tools were developed by researchers were used for data collection. A Structured interviewing questionnaire for assessment of mothers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding rabies <bold>Tool I</bold>, Mothers' knowledge regarding rabies questnnaire. This tool consisted of two parts: demographic characteristics of the studied mothers and mothers’ knowledge about rabies. <bold>Tool II</bold>, Rabies attitudinal Likert scale. <bold>Tool III, </bold>Mothers reported practice Questionnaire. <bold>Results:</bold> from the obtained results, it was found that, a statistically significant correlation was found between mothers' total knowledge scores, attitude and total practice scores, both before and after the implementation of the rabies prevention program. <bold>Conclusion</bold>: It was concluded that the rabies- preventive health program had positive impact on mother’s knowledge, attitude and practices regarding rabies. <bold>Recommendations: </bold>dissemination of the program to the public through mass media to increase their knowledge; improve attitude and practices regarding rabies and its preventive measures.