[A case-control study on the effect of immunoprophylaxis for rabies in Zhejiang province].

OBJECTIVE: This research was to evaluate the effect of pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies and to analyze the reasons of invalidation. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in 132 rabies patients and 73 subjects exposed to homologous rabies in Zhejiang province. All the subjects were investigated face to face by using the same questionnaires at home. Non-conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of measures and the reasons of invalidation. RESULTS: 14.4% (19/132) of cases and 93.2% (68/73) of controls had post-exposure, which resulted in an OR (95%CI) of 0.012 (0.004 - 0.035). However, 72.2% (13/18) of cases and 7.7% (5/65) of controls had not finished their post-exposure, and thus had an OR (95%CI) of 15.60 (3.85 - 63.26). Stratified analysis stated that post-exposure prophylaxis was a protective factor, with an OR (95%CI) of 0.01 (0.002 - 0.047). Poor financial condition and poor knowledge of rabies were the causes of non vaccination. CONCLUSION: Post-exposure prophylaxis could protect the people exposed to rabies well and unfinished post-exposure prophylaxis was the main reason for its invalidation.