Motivators and Barriers for Adopting Responsible Pet Ownership as a Rabies Preventive Measure in Davao City

Abstract

Several strategies were implemented to address rabies disease as a public health issue, but very few were written about how responsible pet ownership can resolve it. Recognizing responsible pet ownership as a key in eliminating rabies disease in the Philippines, this study determined what influences dog owners in adopting responsible pet ownership as a rabies preventive measure. Specifically, this study determined how exposure to rabies, knowledge and practices, perceptions on the risk and the benefits of avoiding the risk, self-efficacy, and awareness to CVO's Anti-Rabies Program, are related to dog owners' decision to become responsible pet owners. Guided by the framework of the Health Belief Model (HBM), this study utilized the convergent mixed method design. Quantitative data were gathered through an online survey which was participated by a total of sixty (60) dog owners. The respondents are residents of the top three barangays with the highest number of rabies cases reported in Davao City in 2018. On the other hand, qualitative data were gathered through a key informant interview with City Veterinarian's Office and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with pet owners residing in the mentioned barangays. Quantitative and qualitative results revealed that the research participants have a high level of knowledge on rabies, high level of perceived threat, high level of perceived susceptibility, high level of perceived benefits, and moderate level of perceived barriers. These factors account for the HBM construct 'readiness to act'. Moreover, based on the results, participants have a very high level of self-efficacy. This means that the respodents are confident in their ability to successfully practice responsible pet ownership. As to the level of awareness on CVO's Rabies Prevention and Control Program, results show that participants are not very well informed about it, especially on its implementation at the barangay level. The level of awareness on the program is under the HBM construct 'cues to action' which refers to factors that activate that readiness and stimulates action. Further, results of the correlation analysis revealed that only the level of awareness on the program has a significant relationship with the level of adherence to responsible pet ownership practices. This implies that as the awareness on the CVO's programs increases, the level of adherence to the recommended practices also increases. Therefore, 'cues to action' has a significant influence on respondents' adherence to responsible pet ownership practices as a rabies preventive measure.