Rabies Awareness and Training in Communities in Cambodia

In Cambodia, rabies remains an issue in particular due to the high number of stray dogs around the country. Mr. Chea Bunna of the Royal University of Agriculture, with the support of his team, led this project to enhance the knowledge and practices of people living in rural communities of the risks related to rabies.

The awareness course on rabies awareness was provided to 250 people living in communities throughout Cambodia, and its participants were comprised of health volunteers, village animal health workers, and community members. In order to deliver an effective course, the team prepared a visualized presentation of the training module as well as a video which could be viewed as desired by the participants. Leaflets and posters were also used by the team to enhance the communication of the risks of rabies and how to prevent the spread of the disease.

At the end of the training, participants showed very positive results in the comprehension of the threat of rabies on their communities. More than 90% are now able to identify the main clinical signs of the disease in animals, more than 70% knew how to handle an infected animal, and 85% of them are aware that children are the most at-risk for rabies infection. Nevertheless, the most important result is that all of the people at the training learned how to provide first aid and how to seek for vaccination if someone has been bitten. Without a doubt, this training has been helpful to provide people with knowledge of the risks of rabies and how to safely handle possible cases of infection.

SEAOHUN 2020 Small Grants

Project team leader: Mr. Bunna CHEA (Royal University of Agriculture)

Team members: Mr. Sok Heng SEANG (University of Health and Science)

Dr. Bunkea TOL (National Institute of Public Health)

Miss. Koemseang NHUONG (University of Battambang)

Miss. Bunnet NHA (Chea Sim University of Agriculture)

Miss. Chinda WANN (Preak Leap National Institute of Agriculture)

Mrs. Limkhuoch HOV (Kampong Cham National Institute of Agricultre)

Mr. Sokom KONG (Royal University of Agriculture)

Miss. Saran CHHOEY (Royal University of Agriculture)

- Personal protective equipment, distancing, and group size standards in this photo were consistent with local public health guidance and COVID-19 status in the specific country and time it was taken. This may not reflect best practices for all locations where COVID-19 is still spreading. -