Factors influencing canine rabies vaccination among dog-owning households in Nigeria

• DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100751
• Publication Date: 2024-05-10T15:46:07Z
• Authors: Philip P. Mshelbwala; Charles E. Rupprecht; Modupe O. Osinubi; Emmanuel O. Njoga; Terese G. Orum; J. Scott Weese; Nicholas J. Clark
• Keywords: Medicine (General); 03 medical and health sciences; R5-920; 0302 clinical medicine; Risk factors; Rabies; Vaccination; Dog; Nigeria; Bayesian; Research Paper

Rabies perpetuates in Nigeria despite initiatives like the Regional Disease Surveillance System Enhancement Project, with evidence indicating suboptimal canine vaccination rates as a contributing factor. To inform effective planning of mass dog campaigns, it is crucial to understand factors associated variation rates. We conducted cross-sectional study 2022 vaccination. used stratified random sampling streets and dog-owning households survey 4162 from three states Federal Capital Territory (FCT). then built joint probabilistic model non-vaccination. First, we modelled rabies knowledge latent variable indirectly measured several targeted questions. This method allowed respondent's unobserved understanding be estimated using their responses collection questions that different aspects epidemiology took various possible response distributions (i.e., ordinal, categorical, binary). Second, influencing pet owners' decisions vaccinate dogs against barriers among owners whose were not vaccinated rabies. Posterior revealed probability was positively owner's rabies, civil servant service employment, residence FCT, ownership single dog, providing care dogs, preference for contemporary treatment following bite. Conversely, non-vaccination private residing Anambra Enugu states, owning multiple allowing search leftovers, traditional after Cost primary barrier Enugu, while mistrust posed major challenge those FCT. Owners areas veterinary establishments cited cost barrier, without establishment access barrier. Our underscores need enhance knowledge, tailor campaigns specific demographics, address financial barriers, combat hesitancy improve Nigeria.