Impact of Health Education on Incidence of Animal Bites and Knowledge on Rabies and Preventive Behaviors in Selected Villages of Ardabil City

Millions of people around the world are at the risk of Rabies due to animal bites annually. Rates of animal bites in Ardabil and Golestan provinces are higher than other parts of the country. This study aimed to determine the impact of health education methods combined with executive interventions on incidence of animal bites and awareness on rabies and preventive behaviors in selected villages of Ardabil city. In this quasi-experimental study، 500 participants from selected villages were trained using direct and indirect education methods. Executive interventions were applied by Ardebil district health center in2010. Data were collected using a researcher made questionnaire prior and 2-4 months after training program. Animal bites statistics were taken from Ardabil district health center. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. 70 percent of participants were male and 30% were female. Health education significantly increased knowledge on nature of the rabies and preventive behaviors among target group (p<0. 05). Number of animal bites occurring in 2010-2011 was lower than the average number recorded for the years 2006-2009. Integrating health education with executive control interventions may raise subjects'' awareness and behavioral pattern and decrease incidence of animal bites and consequently the risk of Rabies in selected area.