An Assessment on the distribution of rabies in Hurungwe district in Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe

Author

Mudzwovi, Emmanuel

Title

An Assessment on the distribution of rabies in Hurungwe district in Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the distribution of rabies in Hurungwe District, Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe, focusing on its causes, extent, and preventive measures. A mixed-methods research design was used, combining surveys and interviews. A total of 300 households were randomly selected using a simple random sampling approach to ensure representativeness. Structured questionnaires captured quantitative data, while semi-structured interviews provided qualitative insights. The study sought to uncover the underlying drivers of rabies outbreaks, their public health implications, and the effectiveness of current control measures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Quantitative analysis highlighted key issues such as unvaccinated domestic dogs (mean = 4.25, SD = 1.128) and poor waste management (mean = 4.25, SD = 0.839) as significant contributors to rabies prevalence. Thematic analysis revealed recurring outbreaks, limited healthcare access, and the economic burden of rabies as major challenges. For example, over 57% of respondents aged 46 years and above emphasized the public health and economic strain caused by rabies outbreaks. The reliability of the data was confirmed with high Cronbach Alpha values across constructs, including 0.824 for preventive measures. The study concluded that rabies remains a significant challenge in Hurungwe District, driven by insufficient vaccination coverage, low public awareness, and inadequate healthcare resources. Recommendations included enhancing vaccination campaigns, improving public health education, and integrating traditional practices with modern methods to increase community engagement and participation. Future research was encouraged to explore innovative solutions for sustainable rabies control and prevention strategies tailored to resource-limited settings.

Date

May 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Rabies

Preventive measures

Hurungwe District

Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe

Zoonotic Diseases

Supervisor

N/A