Prevalence of Dog Bites and Risk Factors Among Residents of Maramag, Bukidnon

Abstract

Around 2,000 cases of animal bites are reported every year in animal bite centers in Maramag, Bukidnon. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with dog bite victims in selected barangays of Maramag, Bukidnon, Philippines. A face-to-face interview was carried out using a pre-tested questionnaire among 402 residents in Maramag, Bukidnon, to determine the prevalence and risk factors of dog bite victims of the municipality. Ten barangays were grouped into the rural and urban type of community. The results showed that the apparent prevalence of dog bite victims among residents of Maramag, Bukidnon was 23.6% (95/402). The urban barangays had a prevalence of 26.2% compared to rural barangays with 21%. The gender of victims, civil status, educational attainment, and dog ownership are the risk factors that are statistically significant in dog bites. The study revealed that dog bite victims of Maramag, Bukidnon are prevalent with 23.6%, and this result does not depend on the type of community. Furthermore, the study shows that being male, single, have low educational attainment, and dog-ownership increases the risks of being bitten by dogs.