Willingness to pay for rabies vaccination services and associated factors among communities in Geita District, Tanzania

Background: Rabies remains a significant public health and economic problem in Tanzania, causing a high economic burden due to medical costs and productive lives lost due to premature deaths. Despite all the effort put into rabies vaccination campaigns, there are still new cases all the time, and vaccination coverage is still low. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the willingness to pay for rabies vaccination services and associated factors among communities in Geita district, Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 312 respondents in Geita district from August to September 2023. The study deployed a willingness-to-pay (WTP) technique using a bidding game to elicit the maximum values respondents were willing to pay for rabies dog vaccination and human post-exposure prophylaxis. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect all the necessary data. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the WTP and associated factors. Results: The results suggest that people are willing to pay slightly more for dog vaccination services ($0.3 above the prevailing price) compared to human post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), in which the average WTP is the same as the prevailing price. 62% of the respondents were willing to pay above the prevailing price ($1.2) for dog vaccines compared to 32% for PEP ($20). In dog vaccination and human PEP services, men are more willing to pay than women. Conclusion: This study highlights the significance of economic consideration in rabies vaccination decisions. In addition to awareness, availability, and access to vaccines, it is crucial to consider socioeconomic factors and financial values individuals place on the welfare of animals. Trial registration: Not Applicable