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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
The Burden of Rabies in Tanzania and Its Impact on Local Communities
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Volume 7, No. 11, Article e2510, Year 2013
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Description
Background:Rabies remains a major public health threat in many parts of the world and is responsible for an estimated 55,000 human deaths annually. The burden of rabies is estimated to be around US$20 million in Africa, with the highest financial expenditure being the cost of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). However, these calculations may be substantial underestimates because the costs to households of coping with endemic rabies have not been investigated. We therefore aimed to estimate the household costs, health-seeking behaviour, coping strategies, and outcomes of exposure to rabies in rural and urban communities in Tanzania.Methods and Findings:Extensive investigative interviews were used to estimate the incidence of human deaths and bite exposures. Questionnaires with bite victims and their families were used to investigate health-seeking behaviour and costs (medical and non-medical costs) associated with exposure to rabies. We calculated that an average patient in rural Tanzania, where most people live on less than US$1 per day, would need to spend over US$100 to complete WHO recommended PEP schedules. High costs and frequent shortages of PEP led to poor compliance with PEP regimens, delays in presentation to health facilities, and increased risk of death.Conclusion:The true costs of obtaining PEP were twice as high as those previously reported from Africa and should be considered in re-evaluations of the burden of rabies. © 2013 Sambo et al.
Authors & Co-Authors
Sambo, Maganga
United Kingdom, Glasgow
University of Glasgow
Tanzania, Ifakara
Ifakara Health Institute
Cleaveland, Sarah C.
United Kingdom, Glasgow
University of Glasgow
Ferguson, Heather M.
United Kingdom, Glasgow
University of Glasgow
Tanzania, Ifakara
Ifakara Health Institute
Lembo, Tiziana
United Kingdom, Glasgow
University of Glasgow
Simon, Cleophas
Tanzania, Dares Salaam
Temeke Municipal Council
Urassa, Honorathy M.R.
Tanzania, Ifakara
Ifakara Health Institute
Hampson, Katie
United Kingdom, Glasgow
University of Glasgow
Statistics
Citations: 91
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0002510
ISSN:
19352727
e-ISSN:
19352735
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Study Design
Cohort Study
Study Locations
Tanzania