Rs. Nelson et al., PUBLIC VETERINARY-MEDICINE - PUBLIC-HEALTH - PUBLIC AWARENESS OF RABIES AND COMPLIANCE WITH PET VACCINATION LAWS IN CONNECTICUT, 1993, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 212(10), 1998, pp. 1552-1555
Objective-To determine the degree of public awareness of rabies and co
mpliance with cat and dog vaccination laws in Connecticut in 1993. Des
ign-Monthly telephone surveys. Sample Population-1,810 households. Pro
cedure-A telephone interview was conducted, using rabies-related quest
ions contained in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, with
an adult member from households randomly selected statewide by teleph
one number. Results of the surveys for the year were aggregated, and w
eighted data were analyzed. Results-Ninety percent of respondents had
heard about rabies during the preceding year, and 84% considered it a
problem in Connecticut. Forty-seven percent of households surveyed own
ed dogs or cats. Ninety-three percent of dogs and 80% of cats were rep
orted to be vaccinated against rabies. Twenty-two percent of household
s with cats had at least 1 cat that was not current on rabies vaccinat
ion. Clinical Relevance-in Connecticut, an epizootic of rabies in racc
oons was accompanied by a high degree of awareness of rabies and rate
of reported vaccination of dogs and cats. However, vaccination of cats
was less common than that of dogs. Public education efforts should em
phasize the necessity to vaccinate cats and to avoid contact with unkn
own cats in rabies epizootic or enzootic areas. A surveillance system
can be used to help evaluate public health programs.