53% unaware how disease spreads, don’t know it is preventable
Shahin Bepari Lambe
Panaji: A recent survey conducted by students of the Goa Institute of Management (GIM) in collaboration with Mission Rabies has found that over 53% of respondents did not know how rabies spreads, and a majority were unaware that the disease could be prevented. This major gap in public knowledge about rabies was discovered in some of the state’s most underserved areas.
The survey, carried out between March 15 and 28 covered four slum areas — Mapusa (25 participants), Panaji (63), Vasco da Gama (43), and Baina Beach (35) — with a total of 166 slum dwellers surveyed. Of the participants, 39% were male and 61% were female.
Many locals had their own ways of dealing with dog bites; some ignored minor wounds while others used traditional remedies instead of seeking proper medical help. Most pet owners admitted they had not vaccinated their dogs, often due to lack of awareness or financial difficulties. Despite widespread fear of stray dogs, very few residents reported sightings or attacks to authorities, further increasing the risk of rabies transmission within the community.
The project was conducted by 62 student volunteers from GIM as part of their Service Learning and Rural Immersion (SLRI) programme, under the guidance of Professor Padmanaban. They were supported by five managers and education officers from Mission Rabies, led by Dr Murugan Appupillai, Director of Mission Rabies.
The study shows that children were the most vulnerable, often interacting with stray dogs. Some respondents wrongly believed that rabies was not always deadly, and many did not know that immediate medical care after a dog bite could be life-saving.
Before the training, most people could not recognise symptoms of rabies in dogs or understand how the virus spreads. However, after the awareness campaign, a dramatic improvement was noted: about 94.6% of respondents could correctly identify how rabies is transmitted through bites, scratches, or licks
on open wounds.
The report noted that participants, after receiving information, were better able to identify signs like excessive drooling, aggression, and unsteady movement in dogs. They also learned safer ways to handle bite situations, such as standing still, washing wounds with soap and water, and seeking medical help immediately.
