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

Background: 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. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of preventive program on mothers' awareness for prevention of rabies. Study Design: Quasi- experimental research design was utilized in this study. Setting : This study was conducted at three major Maternal and child centers (Botors, Embaby and Segar) in Tanta City. Sample: A total sample of 150 mothers who attended the child clinic with children aged 6-12 years. Tools: 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 Tool I , Mothers' knowledge regarding rabies questnnaire. This tool consisted of two parts: demographic characteristics of the studied mothers and mothers’ knowledge about rabies. Tool II , Rabies attitudinal Likert scale. Tool III, Mothers reported practice Questionnaire. Results: 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. Conclusion : It was concluded that the rabies- preventive health program had positive impact on mother’s knowledge, attitude and practices regarding rabies. Recommendations: dissemination of the program to the public through mass media to increase their knowledge; improve attitude and practices regarding rabies and its preventive measures.