A Survey on Dog Bites Incidence in Children

Dog bites is a public health problem which is of greater concern in children than adults due to high risk and more effects. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of dog bites in children in north of Iran. In this cross-sectional study during one year، 255 dog bitted children under 15 years old that had been referred to rabies vaccination center in Guilan province were surveyed. For data collection a researcher-made questionnaire was developed and completed by interviews. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics، independent T-test، one-way analysis of variance and chi square test. Most of the children were boys and the mean age was 8. 86±3. 20 year. The majority of victims (93. 7%) were bitten by owned dogs and 39. 6% dog owners were children’s families. Most children were bitten in home yard. Bites to the leg were most often received by victims. Mean age differences in different parts of the body bitten were significant (0. 001). Majority of children were bitten when they were entering the dog’s territory. Difference in actions leading to bites between the two genders was not significant but mean age difference in groups of action leading to bites was significant (0. 003). Most dog bites occurred between 12 and 18 pm. To reduce the frequency of dog bites in children، designing and implementing educational programs for children and parents seem to be necessary. Conflict of interest: non declared