{
  "abstract": "Rabies remains a significant public health threat in Madagascar, with dog-mediated transmission causing approximately 1,000 human deaths annually. In Antananarivo, the capital city, control efforts are hindered by limited up to date knowledge on the dog population. This study aims to provide updated estimates of the owned dog population characteristics, identify determinants of ownership, and assess dog bite incidence and risk factors to guide effective vaccination and prevention strategies. Between 2023 and 2025, a longitudinal door‑to‑door household survey was conducted across 21 fokontany (administrative units) in Antananarivo. Of 2,518 surveyed households, 30.5% reported dog ownership, with 1,273 dogs recorded, yielding an estimated dog‑to‑human ratio of 1:9. The owned dog population was predominantly male (63.6%), with a median age of three years. Survival analysis in the selected study site indicated a median lifespan of 4.4 years and an annual mortality hazard of 16%. Vaccination coverage was low: 64.2% of owned dogs had never been vaccinated, primarily due to owners’ time constraints, lack of awareness about the need for dog rabies vaccination, and financial barriers. Ownership was positively associated with household location and size, household head’s age, education and income. No significant difference in bite risk was observed between dog‑owning and non‑dog‑owning households, whereas households with children under 15 years experienced a significantly higher risk. Rabies elimination among the owned dog population in Antananarivo requires sustained, context‑adapted interventions that address high population turnover. Annual city‑wide dog vaccination campaigns combining door‑to‑door strategies with fixed‑point sites are suggested to increase the chances of reaching a larger share of the owned dog population. Public health efforts must also prioritize paediatric bite prevention and expand access to post‑exposure prophylaxis to contribute to the global goal of eliminating dog‑mediated human rabies by 2030.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "International Centre of Research in Agriculture for Development (CIRAD), UMR ASTRE, Antananarivo, Madagascar",
    "Department of Veterinary Medicine and Science Education (DESMV), University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar",
    "Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar",
    "International Centre of Research in Agriculture for Development (CIRAD), UMR ASTRE, Montpellier, France"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Marie Hermelienne Volasoa"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Santatriniaina Michel Joharison Andrianarivelo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Katerina Albrechtova"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Fenitra Raharijaona"
    },
    {
      "name": "Daouda Kassié"
    },
    {
      "name": "Véronique Chevalier"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5keb4yxqrftwc.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0360417",
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  "id": "5keb4yxqrftwc",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
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  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2406|Rabies epidemiology and control"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Immunology/Vaccination and immunization"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Eukaryota/Animals/Pets and companion animals"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Eukaryota/Animals/Vertebrates/Amniotes/Mammals/Dogs"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animals/Pets and companion animals"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animals/Vertebrates/Amniotes/Mammals/Dogs"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Epidemiology/Medical risk factors"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Immunology/Vaccination and immunization"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Infectious diseases/Viral diseases/Rabies"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Infectious diseases/Zoonoses/Rabies"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Tropical diseases/Neglected tropical diseases/Rabies"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Preventive medicine/Vaccination and immunization"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Geographical locations/Africa/Madagascar"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Population groupings/Age groups/Children"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Population groupings/Families/Children"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Research design/Survey research/Census"
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  "openalex": "W7222456971",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0360417&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-16",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5keb4yxqrftwc.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:23Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0360417",
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      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0360417"
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:immunology",
      "subfield": "immunology"
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    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:zoology",
      "subfield": "zoology-behaviour"
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    {
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      "origin": "plos:epidemiology",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
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  "title": "Owned dog population profile, dog ownership and bite risk determinants: Key steps to rabies control in Antananarivo, Madagascar",
  "title_text": "Owned dog population profile, dog ownership and bite risk determinants: Key steps to rabies control in Antananarivo, Madagascar",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:23Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5keb4yxqrftwc",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}