Development of Integrated Disease Surveillance Actions on Prevention and Control of Both Human and Animal Rabies with Community Participation Approach in Kantharawichai District, Mahasarakham Province

Abstract

This research aimed to develop an integrated prevention and control program for rabies in both humans and animals by using community participation approach in an endemic area in Kantharawichai district, Mahasarakham province. The participants were 40 volunteers selected by purposive sampling. The study was conducted in three phases: (1) preparation phase, (2) implementation phase, and (3) evalua-tion phase. Data collection tools were (1) the human and animal rabies investigation and surveillance forms, (2) the human rabies investigation and risk group detection forms, and (3) the rabies exposed person and the qualitative data collected forms for in-depth interview and observation. The study was conducted during January-June 2015. The statistics used for analyzing data were percentage and mean; and the content analysis was applied for qualitative data. It was found that there were 6 dogs with rabies, 135 dogs exposed to rabies (24.50%), 138 people exposed to rabies (10.37%). No increase in dog rabies during the operation; and all human contacts got complete set of prophylaxis vaccination. There was no mortality reported. The integrated development model led to community strengthening; and the key success facotrs were identified to be “spark” model, which included; (1) surveillance: coordinating surveillance networking, (2) public relation: communication to community by multi-channels, (3) ar-rangement: arranging personnel and vaccine logistics for preparedness and response, (4) raising: aiming at surveillance networking, and (5) knowledge: raising awareness in raising dogs as well as understanding on the Rabies Act. B.E. 2535. The authors recommended that efficient coordination could empower net-working for community development, and lead to the achievement of rabies prevention and control. This model should be applied in other settings with similar context.