FREQUENCY AND RECOMMENDATION TO CONTROL DOG BITE INJURIES IN ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

Raja Imran Hussain; Iqra Yousaf; Ines Jernej

Raja Imran Hussain University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Zoology, Vienna, Austria
Iqra Yousaf PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Department of Biology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Ines Jernej University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Zoology, Vienna, Austria

Keywords: Dog Bite, Stray Dogs, Dog Management & Pakistan

Abstract

Dogs have the longest association with man. Management of dogs is one of the neglected issues in the Pakistan which took many human lives due to disease and injuries caused by dogs. The purpose of this qualitative cum quantitative research study was to estimate the dog bite frequency reported in NIH (National Institute of Health) Islamabad Pakistan and provide recommendation to reduce these cases. Five years (2005-2010) dog bite data were collected from Pakistan biggest vaccine manufacture institution (NIH). The data were analyzed according to age and gender of patients. Total 4037 dog bite cases were reported in five years. The frequency of cases increased from 313 to 827 (673 ± 229) per year. Lowest number of cases were recorded in 2005 (n=313) while highest in 2007 (n=946) with increase of 16 %. A higher number of males were reported injured than female. Dog bite frequency was found higher in the patients of 11 to 20 years of age and decreased with increase in age groups. Dog bite is preventable injury and increased in each year. Pakistan socioeconomic factors, education level, cultural life style is different and we have to implement dog bite control strategies in accordance with them. The chances of dog bite cases will be reduced if given recommendation fulfilled.