EVALUATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RABIES PREVENTION AND

CONTROL PROGRAM AMONG DOG OWNERS

INTRODUCTION
The epidemiology of rabies according to World Health Organization (2018) was
estimated to cause 59,000 human deaths annually in over 150 countries. In addition, due
to the widespread underreporting and uncertain estimates there is still the cause of over
90% of human exposures to rabies and of 99% of human rabies deaths worldwide.

In the Philippines, rabies remains to be a public health problem. The high cost of
anti-rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin, expenditure for medical consultations and the
loss of income are additional burden to a regular Filipino family confronted with a
potential rabies exposure (Department of Health, 2012). These are some factors why for
every cases of rabies, the likelihood of getting cured was low or zero percent. So even if
there are a few human rabies cases, it is still alarming, since there is no treatment option
and once the patient is already showing neurological symptoms, it has a high potential
leading to cause death without prevention and early treatment (Plaza, 2018).

According to Department of Health (2014) there are about 200-250 cases

nationwide per year, at least one-third of human rabies deaths are among children less
than 15 years of age and two thirds of human rabies cases are males. However, the vast
majority of human rabies deaths are caused by dogs. Furthermore, the most human rabies
cases here in the Philippines were reported in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and
Quezon (CALABARZON) (35), Cagayan Valley (22), Bicol (21), South Cotabato, Sultan
Kudarat, Sarangi, and General Santos City (SOCCKSARGEN) (19) and Davao (16).
There were nine deaths in Metro Manila reported in 2014.

Now in the recent data, Geeny Anne Austria of the DOH-CAR Regional
Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) said that there were 5 rabies cases reported in
first months of 2019, having the same data in 2018 in the same period of time. However,
the age expanded ranging from 4 to 59 years old compared to the data’s in
2014(Department of Health, 2019).
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To be more specific, here in Benguet the cases about rabies are limited. Thus,
having only a 2019 data, the Cordillera Office of the Department of Health (DOH-CAR)
reported that there was an increase of rabies cases in Cordillera. And on the first forty
weeks of 2019 in the same year of August, five people died due to rabies. An official
statement from the local government of Sablan, a town in Benguet, Vice Mayor Arthur
Baldo, declared the municipality in the same year under a state of emergency due to a
spike in rabies cases (Agoot, 2019). Furthermore, Vice Mayor Baldo reported 3
confirmed rabies cases in the municipality, there were 5 incidents of dog bites and 48
people were reportedly exposed to the rabid dogs that were immediately taken into
custody by municipal agriculture workers wherein the presence of the rabies virus was
confirmed by the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory based in Dontogan,
Baguio City (Hent, 2019).

In the case of Baguio City, according to the record of Animal Bite Treatment
Center (ABTCs) last year 2019, Irisan has the highest number of dog bite and rabies
cases, at this instance, it shows poor Rabies Control and Prevention Program (Reys,
2019).

Therefore, the urge to introduce the recommended prevention and control

measures in Baguio City is highly endorsed. Because if pre- and post-exposure
prophylaxis is not acted on, the chance of having severe results may deteriorate on the
individual and this negligence may always result to death(Department of Health, 2019).

To remove the Philippines from the list of the top rabies countries in the world,
the national government enacted Republic Act 9482, also known as the “Anti-Rabies Act
of 2007”. It is an act providing control and elimination on human and animal rabies,
prescribing penalties for violation thereof and appropriating funds (Philippine Council for
Health Research and Development, 2012).

However, even though the law has been in place since 2007, only few violators
have been penalized and imprisoned according to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)
of the Department of Agriculture (DA). This is due to the lack of cooperation and serious
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implementation of the law in some communities in the provinces and even in Metro
Manila (Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, 2012).

In connection to this was the creation of National Rabies Prevention and Control
Program (RPCP), a campaign that supports R.A 9482. It is a system for the control,
prevention of the spread, and eventual eradication of human and animal rabies. Its main
objective is to eliminate rabies as a public health problem with absences of indigenous
cases for human and animal (Department of Health, 2020). The Rabies Prevention and
Control Program was one of the steps of the government under the Department of Health
to empower and supplement the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, hereby mandated and
implemented by a multi-agency/multi-sectoral committee chaired by the Bureau of
Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture. The program shall be a multi-agency
effort in controlling and eliminating rabies in the country (Villar, 2007).

In addition, former Secretary of Health, Enrique T. Ana, mentions to one of his

statement from the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program that “in order to
ensure that the Philippines continue its battle against rabies, various measures have been
undertaken from enacting policies (Republic Act 9482, known as The Anti-Rabies Act of
2007) to implementing different collaborative activities by public and private sector
partners; to involving the communities – all these aimed at reducing the public’s risk and
deaths resulting to rabies” (Department of Health, 2012b).

Therefore, this research aims to evaluate the implementation of Rabies Prevention

and Control Program among dog owners of Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory
Sciences (BSMLS) students in the University of Baguio (UB). It focuses on evaluating
the practices on the implementation of RPCP in terms of the different areas (Responsible
Dog Ownership, Vaccination, Wound Bite Management and Prevention and Control of
Rabies) among dog owners and determines the relationship of dog owners’ profile in
relation with their practices towards the implementation of RPCP.

Literature Review

A research was conducted in Bicol, Philippines measuring the community

Awareness on Rabies Prevention and Control: Pre- and Post-Project Implementation
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provided additional information on which areas of the Rabies program should be

improved (vaccination, responsible pet ownership, wound bite management, and
prevention and control). Based on the pet owners’ response, it shows that reducing
reliance on traditional faith healers for bite wounds, improving rabies vaccination
coverage in both rural and urban villages, and controlling stray dogs are the practices that
need to improve(Barroga et al., 2018).

While another research on a community survey in Tanzania shows that area about
Rabies Prevention and Control regarding wound washing and vaccination of dogs are
likely to result to be more effective prevention for rabies; however, greater engagement
of the veterinary and medical sectors is also needed to ensure the availability of
preventative services(Maganga et al., 2014).

Nevertheless, even we have existing programs and laws people are not even
aware of the existence of these things. A research conducted in Pampanga Philippines
discussing about the Pet owners' awareness on R.A 9482 (Anti-Rabies Act of 2007). The
study shows that pet owners in Magalang, Pampanga had poor knowledge of the Anti-
Rabies Act (65.5%) and majority (71.3%) were unaware of its existence and of penalties
imposed by the law to non-compliant pet owners. Moreover, results indicate that pet
owners in urban places have higher odds of having above median knowledge on the law
compared to those in rural places (San Jose et al., 2019).

On the other hand, aside from practicing the different areas of the RPCP it is also
important that dog owners are responsible on their duties as pet owners.

A study conducted by Costa, G. et al (2017) in Cameroon talked about the

influence of poverty in the knowledge on dog ownership, whereas it was observed that
there was no significant association between knowledge on dog ownership among these
rural community members, where most of them belong to poor families. This shows that
economic status has nothing to do in becoming a responsible pet owner (Barbosa Costa et
al., 2018).

Similar conclusion of another research entitled Knowledge, Attitude and Practices

regarding rabies and its control among dog owner in Kigali city, Rwanda where in none
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of the respondents’ sex, educational level, and the length of dog ownership were
statistically associated with their knowledge, attitudes and practices of rabies (P.
Ntampaka et al., 2019).

Overall, the need to conduct this type of research is highly demanded, because the
studies being conducted about the practice of RPCP are dominant in other countries and it
is not seen much in Philippines. In fact, the Philippines need to study this problem
because it might not be communicable but it is still a deadly infection. Moreover,
enacting laws solely is not effective if the government wants to eradicate rabies cases,
therefore if they will demonstrate practice implementing RPCP then there is a higher
chance to remove the country from the list of the top rabies countries in the world.

Theoretical Framework

The researchers employed Theory of Planned Behavior by Ajzen on the year 2014
to construct a theoretical framework for explaining the behavior of owners’ ensuring that
dogs are vaccinated against rabies and are in control. The elements of Theory of Planned
Behavior includes attitude, this is the individual’s positive or negative evaluation of
performing the behavior. Second, subjective norms, this is the person’s perception of the
social pressures put on him to perform or not perform the behavior and third perceived
behavioral control, refers to whether the individual anticipates the action’s performance
as relatively easy or difficult. Based on Theory of Planned Behavior, the behavioral
intention is determined by an individual’s attitudes toward rabies vaccination and other
animal control programs, subjective norms about this behavior, and perceived behavioral
control, i.e., whether one can control taking a dog to receive the rabies vaccines and are
responsible for taking care of their pets to avoid sudden attacks(Lee et al., 2014).

Conceptual Framework

OUTPUT
INPUT
-The different areas -The level of
PROCESS
of RPCP implementation of
-Collection of the
a. Responsible Dog data through survey the different areas
questionnaire of Rabies
Ownership
-The statistical Prevention and
b. Vaccination analysis and tool
Control Program
c. Wound Bite that will be used are
among dog
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Figure1. Framework of the Study

Figure 1 shows the particular variables in the study. The input consists of the
practices on the implementation of the different areas of RPCP. On the other hand, the
process consists of the data gathering tool and statistical tool and analysis that will be
utilizing in the study. Lastly, the output includes the results and findings of the research
in order to answer the problem of the research.

Significance of the Study

The significance of the study will benefit the people about the assessment of
RPCP in order to help the local government achieve the goal of a rabies-free community.
Thils will contribute to to know the current situation on the implementation of RPCP
and review of the practices of dog owners in different areas of RPCP in order to fill in the
gaps between the high cases of and the RPCP implementation. This research will be a
good start and additional information for future researches. Through this research, it
will help the Department of Health to have an idea and update to what is going on to
the implementation of RPCP. As a civilian living in a dog infested city, it is important to
be aware of these things concerning public health in order to share also information
about it, not only to the place being studied but also other places as well.
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Objectives of the Study

The study focuses on determining the practices on the implementation of the

different areas of RPCP among dog owners which rely on three main questions;

1. To determine the practices on Rabies Prevention Control Program among dog

owners in terms of the following areas:
a. Responsible Dog Ownership
b. Vaccination
c. Wound Bite Management
d. Prevention and Control of Rabies
2. To determine the relationship of dog owners’ profile in relation with their
practices towards the implementation of Rabies Prevention and Control
Program.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Study Design

The research will be using a descriptive cross-sectional study design. This will be
able to describe the characteristics that exist in the community, but not to determine
cause-and-effect relationships between different variables such as pet owners' profiles
(sex and number of dog owned) and their practices towards the different areas of RPCP
(Responsible Dog Ownership, Vaccination, Wound Bite Management and Prevention and
Control of Rabies). This will help evaluate the practices of the implementation of the
different practices on RPCP among dog owners and to determine the relationship of the
dog owners’ profile and their practices towards the implementation of RPCP.
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Sample/Population of the Study

Purposive sampling will be used as sampling design where it will help the study
to acquire the right sample selection of the population.

The population of the study will be the poeple of the city.

Here are the criteria included in selecting the respondents:

1. Residents who are dog owners.
2. S/he is of legal age (18 above) with the capacity to think right and in
sound mind

While the criteria that will exclude a participant from the study is that:

1. People who are not.residents of the city.

2. S/he does not own a dog pet; and
3. S/he is younger than 18 years old.

Data Gathering Tools

The researcher will be using an online survey-questionnaire as the primary research

instrument in gathering the pertinent data or information needed to support the study. It
will be through google classroom or google forms in order to be more accessible among
the dog owners of BSMLS students. The researchers prepared a check list questionnaire
composing the different practices on the implementation of different areas of RPCP
(Responsible Dog Ownership, Vaccination, Wound Bite Management and Prevention and
Control of Rabies). Refer to appendix A for the copy of the questionnaire.

The questionnaires is based on the guidelines and amended law that the Department of
Health-Cordillera Administrative Region released and also from the RA 9482 (Anti-
Rabies Act of 2007) and National Rabies Prevention and Control Program
2012.Questions will be validated by the respective teachers assigned in order to avoid
bias and errors to the questions that can lead to different and erroneous results.

Data Gathering Procedures

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The researchers will be constructing and developing a check list online survey-
questionnaire through google classroom or google forms to serve intended respondents
and test its reliability. This will eventually be validated by experts. After the approval of
the questionnaire, the researchers will acquire permission to the Dean to officially start
the study. Letter of consent will also be attached on the online questionnaires as the
respondent start the survey.

The researchers will be gathering data among the city residents who are dog owners. The
respondents will be given time to answer it on their most convenient. It will be collected
after the day the online survey was successfully accomplished. The data gathering will
last for about 1month to complete the data collection.

After the retrieval, the researcher will tally the scores using SPSS and Pearson Rho as
statistical tools. The data will be presented through tables and then will be analyze and
interpret in order to answer the problem.

Treatment of Data

Responses to the questionnaire will be statistically analyzed using SPSS and

Pearson Rho as statistical tools. Pearson Rho measuring the association between dog
owners’ profile (sex and number of dogs owned) and their practices towards the different
areas of RPCP (Responsible Dog Ownership, Vaccination, Wound Bite Management and
Prevention and Control of Rabies). It gives information about the magnitude of the
association, or correlation, as well as the direction of the relationship. SPSS will help to
measure the frequency, mean and percentage. The data collected will be presented
through table. Results will be discuss and correlate in order to answer the problem of the
study.

Ethical Consideration

The researchers will have the approval of Research Development Center (RDC)
to conduct the study. Informed consent will be given out to the respondents before
answering the survey-questionnaire, and they will be given information that is suitable to
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their capacity and level of understanding. In addition, the researcher will give the
respondents full opportunity and will to answer it with full honesty and confidence.

Upon conducting the study, the researchers will make sure that the respondents
will know the content of the research being studied. Moreover, respondents will have the
right to know the risk, the purpose, the importance, and the benefit they will get from the
study.

Furthermore, the researchers will strictly follow the assurance of giving respect to
the chosen respondents who will participate. For those who do not qualify in the
inclusions, respect will still be given. Besides, the researchers will follow the rules of
confidentiality and anonymity, whereas no names will be asked out and that there will be
no leakage of other personal information’s.

In case of an injury or any health related concerns during the data gathering, the
researchers will be assisting the respondent to the nearest clinic or medical facility.
However, researchers assure that there are no known risks if respondents decide to
participate in this research study. There are also no costs for the respondents for
participating in the research. On the other hand, there is no monetary compensation to be
given for their involvement in the study.

Respondents have the right to refuse in the involvement in the research being
conducted. The researchers will not force at any circumstances and fully respect and
understand the decision whether respondent want to participate or not. Also, in times that
the respondent can no longer continue and unable to finish answering the questionnaire
they may withdraw and return the questionnaire to the researchers.

In gathering the data, the respondents will be given time to answer or will be
collected in their most convenient time thus, the questionnaire will take only about 5-10
minutes to complete. The researchers will give all the respondents the same
questionnaires for unbiased results. The respondents will not be exposed to harm before,
during, and after conducting the study.
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After conducting the study, the information collected may not benefit the
respondent directly but their community. However, the results of the research will still be
available for them to know and what actions they can do after. The researchers will be
distributing brochures consisting of the results and also recommendations about the study
in order to disseminate information that are helpful for the community and individual dog
owners.

Lastly, only the researchers, the research adviser and the research instructor will
only be the authorized persons who will have access on the results of the study. The
researchers will make sure that everything that has been collected will only be used for
academic purposes and will be transmit to RDC to be protected and disclosed in any
other agendas.
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REFERENCE

Agoot, L. (2019, August 2). Benguet town declares state of emergency due to rabies.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1076821

Barbosa Costa, G., Gilbert, A., Monroe, B., Blanton, J., Ngam Ngam, S., Recuenco, S., &

Wallace, R. (2018). The influence of poverty and rabies knowledge on healthcare

seeking behaviors and dog ownership, Cameroon. PLOS ONE, 13(6), e0197330.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197330

Barroga, T. R. M., Basitan, I. S., Lobete, T. M., Bernales, R. P., Gordoncillo, M. J. N.,

Lopez, E. L., & Abila, R. C. (2018). Community Awareness on Rabies Prevention

and Control in Bicol, Philippines: Pre- and Post-Project Implementation. Tropical

Medicine and Infectious Disease, 3(1).

https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed3010016

Department of Health. (2012a). National Rabies Prevention and Control Program-

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Department of Health. (2012b). Rabies Prevention and Control Program | Department of

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4WcATycrSMnKq95W2yl3kGmlA2dPbNng

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Department of Health. (2020, February 14). Rabies Prevention and Control Program |

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https://www.baguioheraldexpressonline.com/sablan-state-of-emergency-rabies/

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Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. (2012, June 13). Republic Act

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http://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/2809-republic-act-9482-

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