Effect of Information and Education Campaign (IEC) Activity on Knowledge of First-aid in Rabies Prevention: A Quasi-experimental Study among Anganwadi Workers in an Urban Slum of Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Abstract
Introduction: Lack of knowledge regarding primary care after an animal bite is a major and pertinent issue that hampers efforts to prevent human deaths caused by rabies. Anganwadi workers (AWWs) represent manpower that can be trained in such care.
Method: Urban slums, being areas of compromised living conditions with stray animals, were the focus of the current study, which was planned to determine if IEC activities could change knowledge about first aid in cases of animal bites among AWWs. Using a convenience sampling strategy, AWWs who gave services to the six Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) in five slums within the catchment area of the medical college were contacted. Data were collected through direct interviews, using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire administered before and after the IEC activities.
Result and Conclusion: There was a marked improvement in their awareness post-IEC. This study highlighted the gaps in knowledge on rabies prevention and emphasized the importance of promoting awareness among AWWs, who act as links between the community and the healthcare system.
How to cite this article:
Priyanka B L, Mohapatra I, Sarkar A, Srivastava V. Effect of Information and Education Campaign (IEC) Activity on Knowledge of First-aid in Rabies Prevention: A Quasi-experimental Study among Anganwadi Workers in an Urban Slum of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. APCRI J. 2023;25(2):13-17.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0973.5038.202311
References
Sudarshan MK, Madhusudana SN, Mahendra BJ, Rao NS, Narayana DA, Rahman SA, Meslin FX, Lobo D, Ravikumar K. Assessing the burden of human rabies in India: results of a national multi-center epidemiological survey. Int J Infect Dis. 2007;11(1):29-35. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
World Health Organization [Internet]. WHO expert consultation on rabies. First report. Technical Report Series No. 931. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2005 [cited 2023 May 4]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-trs-931
Park K. Park’s Textbook of preventive and social medicine. 24th ed. Jabalpur, India: M/s Banarsidas Bhanot; 2017. p. 936-7. [Google Scholar]
Sahu DP, Preeti PS, Bhatia V, Singh AK. Anti-rabies vaccine compliance and knowledge of community health worker regarding animal bite management in rural area of Eastern India. Cureus. 2021 Mar;13(3). [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Giri MK, Dash MK, Kar K. Knowledge regarding rabies prevention among ASHA in a tribal block of Odisha. APCRI J [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2023 May 4];22(1):18-20. Available from: http://medical.advancedresearchpublications.com/index.php/APCRIJ/article/view/2459 [Google Scholar]
Anwith HS, Upadhya KG, Ravish HS, Thenambigai R, Ramya MP, Thejaswini P. Awareness on rabies and its prevention among anganwadi workers. Int J Med Sci Public Health. 2018 Jul 1;7(7):545-9. [Google Scholar]
Kishore S, Singh R, Ravi SK. Knowledge, attitude and practice assessment in health workers regarding rabies disease and its prevention in district Dehradun of Uttarakhand. Indian J Community Health. 2015;27(3):381-5. [Google Scholar]
Ahmed M, Dasgupta I, Maiti S. Knowledge and awareness of emergency health workers and nursing staff regarding rabies immunization. Int J Adv Res. 2020;8(2):670-703.
Karmakar PR, Saharay S. Rabies: knowledge and practices towards its prevention & control among multi-purpose health workers of a rural area of West Bengal. Int J Res Rev. 2020;7:348-54. [Google Scholar]
