Investigator(s)
| WHO Technical Officer |
Preshila Chandimali Samaraweera WHO Country Office Sri Lanka Preshila Chandimali Samaraweera 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Dr.Ashoka Dangolla Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Dr.Ashoka Dangolla
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Dr Lokubalasooriyage Don Kithsiri Director-Public Health Veterinary Services Ministry of Health Sri Lanka Dr Lokubalasooriyage Don Kithsiri
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | Population estimation and anti rabies vaccination Coverage in dogs in Sri Lanka |
| Public title | Dog population estimation and extent of coverage of anti rabies vaccination in all types of dogs in Sri Lanka |
| Background | More than 95% of human rabies deaths in Sri Lanka are due to rabid dog bites. At present, such deaths has drastically reduced from being over 100 to 25-30 per annum. For all estimations and calculations in this regard, the data on numbers of dogs has been used as an estimate with compared to human population. This estimate varied between 1:5 to 1:8 (dog:human) depending on districts. A planned dog count estimation studies have been conducted only in two locations in two districts in the country so far, of which the numbers are extrapolated to all remaining districts, as a practice. Presence of rabies despite over 70% annual vaccination coverage in dogs, in several districts, show erroneous nature of these extrapolation. Currently, human rabies incidence in Sri Lanka is low and is stagnant, and therefore, the precision of such numbers are of utmost importance to obtain true incidence. Such clearance of doubt in estimates could also show the importance of impact of re activating sylvatic cycle in rabies, since we have seen evidence to this effect, since of late. Further, it is important to estimate vaccination coverage with minimum error, so that effective comparisons could be done w |
| Objectives | Objective 300 words To produce a better precise estimate on the counts of dogs, owned, partially owned and ownerless, dogs in Sri Lanka, at district and national level To re calculate, if needed, vaccination coverage using new population denominators established by the study To compare the results at ground level, provided by PHI’s with national statistics to see any descripency with regard to vaccinations coverage To produce a document and a scientific publication in this regard, so that scientific national and international community could use better estimates To train PHIs to use software in mobile telephone is dog counts and to obtain GPS locations which would be beneficial in several other field level health oriented projects |
| Study Methods | In this proposed multistage sampling study, all 25 administrative districts would be included and sampled. For each such district, 3 MOH areas will be randomly selected using random numbers, in a geographical map. Within each of such selected MOH area, 5 PHI areas will be randomly selected using random numbers, in a geographical map. Each of such selected PHI area would be divided into 1sq km areas on a map out of which one such 1 sq. km area would be randomly selected using random numbers. All motorable routes within that randomly selected 1sq.Km area within each PHI area would be used for all 3 components of the study. Firstly, a community-based, descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire (made in native language) administration study with dog owners by respective public health inspector (PHI)s, would be done in the area identified. A house to house visit would be performed to make sure that majority of community dogs and dogs owned at times and those owned partially would also be identified separately in the counts, using respondents. Secondly, to obtain a better estimate of ownerless dogs, a dog population count (multistage sampling) study, using count-re count (sight-re sight) in all 1 square Km areas identified per each PHI area. This would be done during 7-10am and 5-7pm on 14 consecutive pre-selected days to take the average. During these times, most ownerless dogs would be on streets searching for human contact. shelter and/or food. For this component, a team of workers would be selected which will be monitored by each PHI. Thirdly, a questionnaire administration of PHIs involved with regard to vaccination, coverage and the numbers therein. This would generate data at field level which can be compared then with records available at Ministry of Health to see |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | Better precise counts on dogs owned by people, those partially owned, and dogs owned at times and those without owners, would be obtained for better, proper and justifiable calculations on the subject thereafter. Ministry of Health, Department of Animal Production and Health, other research institutes on dogs, rabies and other zoonoses, both local and international, can immensely benefit from this. Training the entire staff on sampling, conducting and using software on mobile phones for this purpose would enhance knowledge and awareness in them and to stimulate creative thinking in those involved School children and university students can get involved so that future generations can be sensitized on the study area |
| Keywords | Dogs, Vaccine, Population, Estimation, Sri Lanka |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 01-May-2023 |
| End Date | 31-Oct-2023 |
| Key Implementing Institution | Public Health Veterinary Services |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | Yes |
| Research Domain(s) | Communicable Disease Research |
| Research field(s) | Infectious Disease |
| Involves human subjects | No |
| Data Collection | Primary and secondary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | Final decision available |