A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Video –Assisted Teaching Regarding Dog Bite and its Management among Homemakers Residings at Karikalampakkam Rural Area, Puducherry

Abstract

Background: Dog bite is an important public health problem because delayed wound care and inadequate knowledge about post-exposure prophylaxis can increase the risk of rabies and other complications. Homemakers may be the first persons to respond to injuries within the family; therefore, improving their knowledge regarding immediate wound washing, medical consultation, vaccination and prevention is important. Video –assisted teaching (VAT) provides visual and auditory information and may be useful community health education strategy.

Materials and Methods: A quantitative research approach with a pre-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design was used. Sixty homemakers residing in Karikalampakkam rural are, Puducherry, were selected by non-probability convenience sampling. Knowledge was assessed using a 20-items semi – structured knowledge questionnaire. A video –assisted teaching programme covering dog bite, first aid, wound care, anti-rabies vaccination, tetanus prophylaxis and preventive measures was administered after the pre-test. The post-test was conducted seven days later. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 25 with frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, paired t-test and chi-square test.

Results: In the pre-test, 42(70.0%) participants had inadequate knowledge and 18(30.0%) had moderate knowledge; none had adequate knowledge. In the post-test, 49(81.7%) achieved adequate knowledge and 11(18.3%) had moderate knowledge, with none remaining in the inadequate category. The mean knowledge score increased from 7.18±2.14 to 16.52 ± 1.72, with a mean difference of 9.34. The paired t-test showed a highly significant improvement (t = 29.84, df = 59, p < 0.001). Educational status, monthly family income and source of previous knowledge were significantly associated with pre-test knowledge.

Conclusion: Video – assisted teaching was effective in improving knowledge regarding dog bite and its management among homemakers. Community-based audiovisual education may be incorporated into nursing and public health programmes to strengthen awareness of first aid, rabies prevention and timely treatment.