Knowledge, Attitudes, and Social Support in Relation to Rabies Prevention Behaviors among Residents of Thanu Subdistrict, Uthai District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province

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Abstract

The objectives of this study were to 1) knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors regarding rabies among the public, 2) social support in rabies prevention among the population, 3) knowledge, attitudes, and social support in rabies prevention among the population preventive behaviors against rabies among the public. The conceptual framework was applied  knowledge, attitudes, and behavior theory of Benjamin Bloom’s and social support of House. The study methodology was a quantitative research. Population was 4,749 people, sample proportion determined using Taro Yamane concept, 369 people, by multi-stage random sampling. The tool for the research was knowledge test and a questionnaire. Statistics used for the data analysis such as percentage, mean and standard deviation, and Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient.

The results of the study found that 1) the average level of knowledge about rabies is moderate. The average attitude toward rabies prevention is also moderate, and the average level of preventive behavior for rabies is moderate as well, 2) social support in rabies prevention is at a moderate level on average, 3) knowledge, attitudes, and social support for rabies prevention are positively associated with rabies prevention behaviors among the public, with statistical significance at the .01 level. This study suggested that government agencies should promote public knowledge and support access to information on rabies prevention. Such efforts would lead to proper rabies prevention behaviors among the public.