Effect of telephone reminders on adherence to anti-rabies vaccine amongst animal bite patients in North India: A randomised, single-blind, parallel-group, single-centre, interventional superiority trial.
IJID Reg
; 12: 100386, 2024 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39129822
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
Rabies is a highly infectious viral zoonotic disease of the central nervous system with a near 100% fatality rate. Vaccine adherence is an integral part of achieving effective treatment. India accounts for 27% of the global deaths from rabies yearly. Rabid dog bites are responsible for 99% of these deaths. This study aimed to assess the effect of reminder calls on compliance with the anti-rabies vaccine among animal bite patients.Methods:
An interventional, randomised, single-blinded, parallel-group, single-centre study was conducted at the Anti Rabies Clinic, Rajindra Hospital, Government Medical College, Patiala, a city located in Punjab, India, with a population of approximately 19 lakhs. A sample of 400 patients was enrolled and divided into two groups by lottery method. After obtaining written and informed consent from patients, data were collected using a validated pre-tested, semi-structured proforma. The intervention group received reminder calls before each dose. At the end of the study, complete information regarding compliance was obtained from both groups and analysed.Results:
The median age group of the animal bite patients was 21-40 years, with most being male (69.50%). Most of the bites were on the lower extremities (64.0%), followed by the upper extremities (29.0%) and the face (3.25%). Out of 153 patients who delayed the dose, 137 (89.54%) delayed a single dose. The 4th dose on the 28th day was the most frequently delayed dose (75.16%). Reminder calls increased the vaccine compliance rate from 53.5% in the non-intervention group to 70% in the intervention group (adjusted odds ratio=2.28; P=0.0002). There was no effect of gender, area, educational qualification, or marital status on the compliance.Conclusions:
Reminder calls were found to have significant effect on the adherence to the anti-rabies vaccine. This simple, cost-effective, and patient-friendly intervention must be integrated within the health care system to ensure timely and complete administration of the anti-rabies vaccine to reduce the risk of rabies.
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
IJID Reg
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Índia