Factors associated with Rabies vaccination uptake by Dog owners in Butaleja Town Council, Butaleja District

Abstract

Introduction: Rabies, a deadly zoonotic disease, remains a global threat, especially in Africa and Asia. Despite being preventable through dog vaccination, low uptake persists, posing public health and economic risks. Uganda, including Butaleja District, reports high animal bite and suspected rabies cases. General Objective: This study examined factors associated with rabies vaccination uptake among dog owners in Butaleja TC. Methods: A cross-sectional study surveyed 173 dog owners using semi-structured questionnaires. Data collected (May 18–June 28, 2024) covered socio-demographics, health/veterinary systems, knowledge, and dog-related factors. Modified Poisson regression in Stata V14.0 analyzed associations via bivariate/multivariate analyses, correlation matrices, and model fitting (AIC/BIC). Results: Results showed 57.2% of owners vaccinated at least one dog, covering 166 dogs (54.6% of 304 total dogs). Only 48.4% of all dogs were vaccinated, below the 70% global target. Among vaccinating owners, 81.8% vaccinated all their dogs. Key factors associated to uptake included age, gender, education, religion, marital status, family structure, vaccine awareness, reminders, veterinary access, vaccination site knowledge, community education, and dog confinement. Conclusion: Despite above average of dog owners vaccinating dogs, vaccine uptake remains low. Raising awareness and veterinary access significantly influence uptake. Strengthened community engagement and targeted interventions are critical to achieving dog bite mediated rabies elimination goals.