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Table 2 Risk factors associated with exposure to bats among persons living near bat refuges in Guatemala

From: Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding rabies and exposure to bats in two rural communities in Guatemala

Category

Subcategory

Exposed to bats (N = 77)

Non-exposed to bats (N = 193)

Total (N = 270)

P-value

Odds ratio (95% CI)

n (%)

n (%)

n (%)

Demographics

Age ≤ 46 years§

42 (55 )

140 (73)

182 (67)

0.006

0.46 (0.25 -0.81)

Female

45 (58)

152 (79)

197(73)

0.001

0.38 (0.21 -0.70)

Completed primary school

14(18)

51 (26)

65 (24)

0.21

0.62 (0.29-1.23)

Rabies knowledge

Basic or no rabies knowledge

77(100)

192 (99)

269 (99)

1

0.80 (0.03- 20.7)

Animal bites as mechanism of transmission

56(73)

136(70 )

192 (71)

0.76

1.11 (0.60-2.12)

Rabies perceived as severe

66 (86)

137(71)

203 (75)

0.01

2.44 (1.17-5.52)

Bats a source of rabies

9(12)

17(9)

26(10)

0.50

1.36 (0.51-3.43)

Dogs a source of rabies

72(94)

176(91)

284(92)

0.62

1.38 (0.47-5)

Bat contact activities

More than 5 years living/working near bat roost

42(55)

62(32)

104(39)

0.0009

2.53 (1.42-4.51)

Hunting bats (to kill, not eat)

0 (0)

2(1)

2(1)

1

0.6 (0.03-13.9)

Agricultural occupation

13(17)

13(7)

26(10)

0.02

2.80 (1.13-6.94)

Being inside a bat cave

49(64)

65(34)

114(42)

0.000001

3.43(1.91-6.23)

Theoretical actions after bat bite

Wash with soap and water

9(12)

12(6)

21(8)

0.13

1.99 (0.70-5.41)

Seek medical care

40(52)

112(58)

152(56)

0.41

0.78 (0.44-1.38)

Seek rabies post exposure prophylaxis

3(4)

9(5)

12(4)

1

0.83 (0.14-3.44)

Don’t know or nothing

13(17)

28(15)

41(15)

0.70

1.19 (0.53-2.56)

Other (alcohol/lime juice)

6(8)

13(7)

19(7)

0.79

1.17 (0.35-3.45)

Theoretical action after bite from rabid animal

Wash with soap and water

2(3)

7(4)

9(3)

1

0.70 (0.07-3.84)

Seek medical care

56(73)

127(66)

183(68)

0.31

1.38 (0.75-2.62)

Seek rabies post exposure prophylaxis

14(18)

35(18)

49(18)

1

1.03 (0.46-2.06)

Don’t know or nothing

2(3)

15(8)

17(6)

0.16

0.32 (0.03-1.41)

Other (alcohol/lime juice)

0 (0)

0(0)

0(0)

1

2.5(0.05-127.9)

History of vaccination against rabies

Post-exposure prophylaxis

12(16)

3(2)

15(6)

0.000003

11.57 (2.99-65.9)

Pre-exposure immunization

5(6)

9(5)

14(5)

0.55

(0.36-4.90)

History of animal bite?

Bat

7(9)

0(0)

7(3)

0.0001

38.5(2.15-687.3)

Dog

5 (7)

5(3)

10(4)

0.15

2.6(0.58-11.66)

  1. §Mean age of exposed.