Support of Funding and Vaccination Facilities

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 141 views

Relationship between Internal and External Factors of Dog Owners with Dog Maintenance in an Effort to Prevent Rabies in Sumbul District, Dairi Regency

Introduction

Dairi Regency, located in the Province of North Sumatra, is known as an area that is endemic to rabies. One of the districts that became the highlight in this case was Sumbul District, which often reported cases of dog bites suspected of rabies. In the period between 2006 and 2008, there were worrying records related to dog bite cases, with a total of 80 cases and 4 human deaths due to rabies. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between internal and external factors of dog owners with dog maintenance practices in an effort to prevent rabies in Sumbul District, Dairi Regency.

Background

Rabies is a deadly disease that affects humans and animals worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are approximately 55,000 human deaths due to rabies each year. In Indonesia, rabies is a significant public health concern, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited. In Dairi Regency, the prevalence of rabies is high, with a significant number of dog bite cases reported each year.

Methodology

This study employed a cross-sectional research design, involving 1,025 dog owners in Sumbul District, Dairi Regency. The data collection method used was a questionnaire that targeted various aspects related to dog maintenance, including education, knowledge, attitudes, availability of vaccination facilities, recommendations from livestock officers, and exposure to counseling media. The data was analyzed using the Chi-Square test to identify the relationship between internal and external factors of dog owners with dog maintenance practices.

Results

The results of the study showed that 69.8% of dog owners have poor maintenance. Analysis with the Chi-Square test revealed six variables that are significantly related to dog maintenance practices, namely education, knowledge, attitudes, availability of vaccination facilities, recommendations from livestock officers, and exposure to counseling media. Among these variables, knowledge and availability of vaccination facilities have proven to be the most influential in preventing rabies.

Analysis of Internal and External Factors of Dog Owners

Internal factors such as education and knowledge of dog owners have a direct impact on how they take care of their pets. Higher educated owners tend to have better knowledge about rabies and how to prevent them. Likewise, a positive attitude towards vaccination and the existence of adequate vaccination facilities around them can encourage the owner to be more responsible in maintaining the health of their dogs.

External factors, such as the recommendations of animal husbandry officers and information obtained through the media, are also important in creating awareness and determining the attitude of the owner towards their dog's health. The level of exposure and access to counseling media can help increase the owner's knowledge and attitudes about the importance of rabies vaccination.

Recommendations for Preventing Rabies

Based on the results of this study, several important steps are recommended for local governments and related agencies in Dairi Regency:

Support of Funding and Vaccination Facilities: The government needs to strive for adequate funding for rabies vaccination activities and disseminating information about this disease widely in the community.
Health Promotion Material in Schools: Involving children in health education through School Health Business Programs (UKS) can be an effective preventive step. By providing a basic understanding of rabies, their children and families can contribute to disease prevention efforts.
Counseling by Officers: Optimizing the role of the Animal Husbandry Office officer in conducting counseling about rabies, as well as increasing the frequency of information dissemination activities through various media, such as posters and local radio broadcasts.

Conclusion

By applying these recommendations, it is expected that dog maintenance can be better, and prevent the spread of rabies in Sumbul District. This not only protects public health, but also the welfare of pets. The study highlights the importance of education, knowledge, and attitudes in preventing rabies, as well as the role of external factors such as recommendations from livestock officers and information obtained through the media.

Implications

The study has several implications for public health policy and practice in Dairi Regency. Firstly, it highlights the need for increased funding for rabies vaccination activities and education programs. Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of involving children in health education through School Health Business Programs (UKS). Finally, it underscores the need for optimizing the role of the Animal Husbandry Office officer in conducting counseling about rabies.

Limitations

This study has several limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Secondly, the study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias. Finally, the study did not control for other potential factors that may influence dog maintenance practices, such as socioeconomic status and access to healthcare.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to replicate this study with a larger sample size and more diverse population. Additionally, future studies should investigate other potential factors that may influence dog maintenance practices, such as socioeconomic status and access to healthcare. Finally, future research should explore the effectiveness of different interventions aimed at preventing rabies, such as education programs and vaccination campaigns.
Q&A: Relationship between Internal and External Factors of Dog Owners with Dog Maintenance in an Effort to Prevent Rabies in Sumbul District, Dairi Regency

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between internal and external factors of dog owners with dog maintenance practices in an effort to prevent rabies in Sumbul District, Dairi Regency.

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study is significant because it highlights the importance of education, knowledge, and attitudes in preventing rabies, as well as the role of external factors such as recommendations from livestock officers and information obtained through the media.

Q: What are the internal factors that influence dog maintenance practices?

A: The internal factors that influence dog maintenance practices include education and knowledge of dog owners. Higher educated owners tend to have better knowledge about rabies and how to prevent them.

Q: What are the external factors that influence dog maintenance practices?

A: The external factors that influence dog maintenance practices include recommendations from livestock officers and information obtained through the media. The level of exposure and access to counseling media can help increase the owner's knowledge and attitudes about the importance of rabies vaccination.

Q: What are the recommendations for preventing rabies based on this study?

A: The recommendations for preventing rabies based on this study include:

Support of Funding and Vaccination Facilities: The government needs to strive for adequate funding for rabies vaccination activities and disseminating information about this disease widely in the community.
Health Promotion Material in Schools: Involving children in health education through School Health Business Programs (UKS) can be an effective preventive step. By providing a basic understanding of rabies, their children and families can contribute to disease prevention efforts.
Counseling by Officers: Optimizing the role of the Animal Husbandry Office officer in conducting counseling about rabies, as well as increasing the frequency of information dissemination activities through various media, such as posters and local radio broadcasts.

Q: What are the implications of this study for public health policy and practice?

A: The study has several implications for public health policy and practice in Dairi Regency. Firstly, it highlights the need for increased funding for rabies vaccination activities and education programs. Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of involving children in health education through School Health Business Programs (UKS). Finally, it underscores the need for optimizing the role of the Animal Husbandry Office officer in conducting counseling about rabies.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Secondly, the study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias. Finally, the study did not control for other potential factors that may influence dog maintenance practices, such as socioeconomic status and access to healthcare.

Q: What are the future research directions based on this study?

A: Future research should aim to replicate this study with a larger sample size and more diverse population. Additionally, future studies should investigate other potential factors that may influence dog maintenance practices, such as socioeconomic status and access to healthcare. Finally, future research should explore the effectiveness of different interventions aimed at preventing rabies, such as education programs and vaccination campaigns.

Q: What can dog owners do to prevent rabies?

A: Dog owners can take several steps to prevent rabies, including:

Keeping their dogs up-to-date on vaccinations
Providing regular veterinary care for their dogs
Keeping their dogs on a leash or in a secure enclosure
Avoiding contact with stray or wild animals
Reporting any animal bites or scratches to the local health authorities

Q: What can local governments and health authorities do to prevent rabies?

A: Local governments and health authorities can take several steps to prevent rabies, including:

Increasing funding for rabies vaccination activities and education programs
Implementing School Health Business Programs (UKS) to educate children about rabies
Optimizing the role of the Animal Husbandry Office officer in conducting counseling about rabies
Increasing the frequency of information dissemination activities through various media, such as posters and local radio broadcasts.