Spatial and Behavioural Determinants of Low Rabies Vaccination Coverage Among Dogs in a Rural Zimbabwean Ward: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease and a significant public health threat in Zimbabwe, especially in rural areas where domestic dogs are the main reservoir. This study examined factors behind low rabies vaccination coverage in dogs in Ward 2, Gutu District. A cross-sectional survey combining quantit...

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Publicado en:Inquiry (00469580) Vol. 63; pp. 1 - 16
Autores principales: Mudzanire, Priscillah Gamuchirai, Moyo, Perez Livias, Khozah, Methembe Yotamu
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Sage Publications Inc. 4/3/2026
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: Spatial and Behavioural Determinants of Low Rabies Vaccination Coverage Among Dogs in a Rural Zimbabwean Ward: A Mixed-Methods Study.
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        au:
          Mudzanire, Priscillah Gamuchirai
          Moyo, Perez Livias
          Khozah, Methembe Yotamu
        affil: National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
      su:
        Rabies prevention
        Dog diseases
        Rabies vaccines
        Cross-sectional method
        Health literacy
        Health services accessibility
        Spatial behavior
        Health attitudes
        Interviewing
        Bites & stings
        Culture
        Dogs
        Descriptive statistics
        Global Positioning System
        Vaccination coverage
        Thematic analysis
        Odds ratio
        Financial stress
        Rural conditions
        Research methodology
        Medical records
        Acquisition of data
        Sociodemographic factors
        Public health
        Confidence intervals
        Data analysis software
        Immunity
        Communication barriers
        Disease complications
        Zimbabwe
      sug:
        subj:
          Zimbabwe
          Rabies prevention
          Dog diseases
          Rabies vaccines
          Cross-sectional method
          Health literacy
          Health services accessibility
          Spatial behavior
          Health attitudes
          Interviewing
          Bites & stings
          Culture
          Dogs
          Descriptive statistics
          Global Positioning System
          Vaccination coverage
          Thematic analysis
          Odds ratio
          Financial stress
          Rural conditions
          Research methodology
          Medical records
          Acquisition of data
          Sociodemographic factors
          Public health
          Confidence intervals
          Data analysis software
          Immunity
          Communication barriers
          Disease complications
      keyword:
        dogs
        mixed-methods
        one health
        rabies
        spatial analysis
        vaccination
      ab: Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease and a significant public health threat in Zimbabwe, especially in rural areas where domestic dogs are the main reservoir. This study examined factors behind low rabies vaccination coverage in dogs in Ward 2, Gutu District. A cross-sectional survey combining quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted with 60 dog-owning households through structured questionnaires. GPS coordinates for 200 dogs were collected for spatial analysis, and in-depth interviews were held with 10 key informants until thematic saturation was achieved. Vaccination coverage was 57.5%, below the 70% needed for herd immunity. Spatial analysis showed significant clustering of unvaccinated dogs in certain areas (P <.05). Of 14 dog bite cases recorded during the intensive study period, 3 (21.4%) involved vaccinated dogs, while 11 (78.6%) involved unvaccinated dogs or dogs of unknown status. Thematic analysis identified 5 main themes: financial barriers, knowledge gaps, cultural beliefs, accessibility issues, and communication challenges. A significant association was found between bites from unvaccinated dogs and fatal outcomes (P =.04). The low vaccination coverage stems from the interplay of behavioural, structural, and spatial factors. The convergent parallel design revealed that spatial clusters of unvaccinated dogs correspond to areas where qualitative respondents cited accessibility and financial barriers. Interventions should include targeted mobile vaccinations in hotspots and culturally sensitive awareness campaigns.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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