Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients attending a community health centre for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background

Rabies remains a major public health concern in India, accounting for a substantial proportion of global human

rabies mortality. Evidence from primary care settings, where the majority of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is

delivered, is essential to guide prevention strategies. This study assessed the epidemiological and clinical

characteristics of patients seeking rabies PEP at a community health centre in northern India.

Methods

A retrospective record-review was conducted at Community Health Centre, Jawan, district Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

Records of new cases reporting for rabies PEP from April 2022 to March 2023 were analysed. Socio-demographic

characteristics, type of biting animal, wound category, site of bite and delay to presentation were extracted.

Descriptive statistics were computed.As the study involved secondary analysis of routine facility-based records

without personal identifiers, it constituted less than minimal risk research as per the ICMR ethical guidelines;

therefore, formal ethical committee approval was not required.

Results

A total of 2270 animal bite cases were recorded during the study period. Mean age of patients was 23.69±17.83

years. Males constituted 71.7% of cases. Lower limb bites were most common (63.3%). Dog bites accounted for

94.0% cases. Category II wounds constituted 96.0None of the Category III patients received immunoglobulin due

to non-availability at the facility.Mean time to reporting was 1.91±2.24 days.

Conclusions

Young males and lower limb bites were the most common among PEP seekers. Lack of immunoglobulin for

Category III wounds persists as a major system gap. Strengthening availability of biologicals and community-level

prevention remain key priorities.