RESEARCH ON FIRST AID ATTEMPTS AFTER CONTACT WITH RABIES SUSPICIOUS ANIMALS

Rabies is one of the most important public health issues in the world. World Health Organization’s suggestions for first aid attempts on the wound after contact with rabies suspicious animals are washing the wounded area with water and soap for 15 minutes, using detergent, iodine compound or a virucide substance on the wounded area. The aim of this descriptive study was to determine first aid attempts after contact with rabies suspicious animals they reached to the health facility.Using the data collecting form, the data picked from 200 cases after contact with rabies suspicious animals in the hospital between January-June 2006. The cases were determined simple random sample method as protocol numbers during a day. Average age of the sample group is 34 (±17.7). 73,5% (n: 147) of the sample group stated that they or their families attempted at least one first aid application to healthcare facilities. Washing with water and soap, being the right attempt, had been applied to 41.5 % (n: 83) of the sample group. Other types of attempts follow as 25.5 % (n: 51) cologne application, 17.0 % (n: 34) iodine application and 9.5% (n: 19) washing with water. As a result, rabies still maintains its importance in Turkey. Exposure and traumatization due to contact with domestic and idle animals occur and vaccination program is applied to the majority of these cases. There are inadequacies of knowledge about first aid in the cases of exposure in terms of public health. People should be given first aid training especially in the regions where rabies cases occur.