Facilities and services of postexposure prophylaxis in anti-rabies clinics: A national assessment in India

Facilities and services of postexposure prophylaxis in anti-rabies clinics: A national assessment in India

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Background: The rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) is provided through anti-rabies clinics in the country.It was considered important to assess their facilities under a nationwide multi-centric survey.Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess click here the facilities available for PEP at the anti-rabies clinics and to ascertain the PEP provided at the anti-rabies clinics.

Methods: The cross-sectional assessment was made from May 2017 to January 2018 in selected seven states of India.Thirty-five anti-rabies clinics from both Government and private; urban and rural areas from the states were assessed by an expert team using a pretested checklist for facilities and services available for PEP.Results: On an average, 10 new animal bite cases were attended at each anti-rabies clinic per day.

The cold chain facilities for rabies biologicals were satisfactory.The cocktail tree for sale facilities for wound washing (54.3%) and the use of antiseptics to animal bite wounds were not adequate.

Rabies vaccines were administered by intramuscular in 54.3% and by intradermal route in 45.7% of the cases.

The vaccine stock-outs were reported only in the government sector (18.5%).The type of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) used was equine (63.

2%) and human (36.8%); given free of cost in 40% of Anti rabies clinics.The local wound infiltration of RIG was in practice at 58.

6% of anti-rabies clinics.The stock-out of RIG was more in private (50%) hospitals than in Government (40.7%) hospitals.

Conclusion: The facilities available for PEP at the anti-rabies clinics were inadequate and have to be improved across the country.