Rabies remains a significant public health threat in Asia, including Thailand, where dogs act as the primary reservoir for transmission. A study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science by Premashthira, Suwanpakdee, Wiratsudakul and colleagues (2021) applied a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) framework to understand which socioeconomic variables shape rabies prevention behaviors among dog owners.
Using a multistage sampling approach, researchers surveyed 476 dog owners across four Thai regions categorized into high and low-risk areas through a Generalized Additive Model. Their analysis revealed a complex interaction between socioeconomic status, education level, and owner perspectives on rabies control.
Higher knowledge levels were positively associated with better prevention practices—such as willingness to vaccinate—but surprisingly linked to more negative attitudes. Male owners, younger individuals, those with middle to high school education, and households with more dogs displayed stronger knowledge yet held less favorable attitudes toward rabies control measures. In contrast, farmers with lower incomes showed more positive attitudes regardless of knowledge level.
A key finding was that individuals with lower socioeconomic status and limited knowledge were less willing to pay for vaccination if costs increased, highlighting a practical barrier to effective rabies prevention. Public awareness initiatives therefore remain essential to improving both understanding and behavior, especially in regions with socioeconomic constraints.
The authors emphasize that sustained education campaigns, accessible vaccination programs, and community-based outreach are crucial for shifting owner behavior and reducing rabies risk. Given similar socioeconomic patterns across many countries, these insights may guide rabies control strategies beyond Thailand.
Source: Premashthira, S., Suwanpakdee, S., Wiratsudakul, A., et al. (2021). The Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Dog Owners on Dog Rabies Control in Thailand. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
