OriginalArticle Knowledge , RabiesAttitudes , and Practices Survey in a Community in Sri Lankaof

Objectives: The primary objective ef this study was te determine the level ot' knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of rabies management and contrel ofa sample population. The secondary objeetive was to eempare the KAP with respect to rabies management and contrel between urban and ruraJ areas and between pet and non-pet owners. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out by conducting face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires among 1570 respondents from se)ected households in the Kandy District, Sri Lanka. Results: Approximately 58% of the sample population was pet owners. Among all the respondents, there was a high level of awareness (90%) that dogs are the mest commen rabies reservoithat the disease is fatal (79%), and that rabies can be prevented by vaccination (88%). Most of the subjects (96%) would seek treatment from a doctor or a hospital after being bitten by a dog. Although 76% of the respondents said that their pet dogs were vaccinated, only one-half were able to present a vaccination certificate upon request. The subjects from the urban areas would submit the head ef an animal for rabies eyaluation (69%) compared with those t'rom the rural areas (57%). Pet owners (93%) are more aware that dog rabies vaccines are ayailable from authorized offices than non-pet owners (87%). Conclusiolls: The Ieyel of awareness of rabies and the level of receptiveness to rabies control measures are high. There is a diiference in the attitudes and pet care practices relevant to rabies control between urban and rural areas. Pet owners tend to be more cooperative to rabies control actiyities. The attitudes and practices ofthe respondents may reflect the inaccessibility of facilities and the lack of services that would enable cemmunity participation in rabies control.