| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: administering rabies post-exposure
prophylaxis (PEP) in a timely and appropriate
manner remains the most fundamental measure
for preventing human rabies. However, a number
of barriers to accessing and completing PEP exist.
Methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out
from April to July 2022 to examine individual and
societal barriers to accessing human rabies PEP in
Maswa in Maswa District, Tanzania. Dog bite
patients were interviewed to gather information
about the circumstances of the bite, as well as the
availability, affordability, and compliance with
PEP. Descriptive and inferential analyses were
conducted to address the research question.
Results: of the 264 bite patients, 57.6% were male
and 67.2% were under 15 years old. Dog bites
accounted for the highest proportion of cases
95.5% (n=252) and category-III bites were most
frequently observed 63% (n=167). About 45.1%
(n=119) of patients traveled over 25 kilometers
(km) from their residences to reach PEP clinics. The
average cost for obtaining PEP doses was USD
51.1. Only 3.8% (n=10) of patients received all five
recommended PEP doses. Travel distances and
costs were significant factors for poor PEP
compliance. Patients who traveled by bicycle to
health facilities had higher odds of PEP compliance
(aOR =17.12: 95% CI: 14.12 - 23.42) than those
who walked (aOR = 6.88: 95% CI: 1.28 - 26.13).
Furthermore, patients who utilized buses were four
times more likely to comply to PEP (aOR = 4.23,
95% CI: 1.06 - 16.46) than those using motorcycles.
Bite patients from urban areas were 6 times more
likely to complete the recommended PEP (aOR =
5.79, 95% CI: 1.29 - 15.20) than their rural
counterparts. Conclusion: findings from this study
inform measures to improve compliance to rabies
PEP among dog bite victims. These measures
include subsidizing the cost of PEP, improving PEP
accessibility, and raising awareness about the
dangers of rabies particularly in seeking and
completing the recommended PEP focusing on
rural communities | en_US |
