{ "abstract": "Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease of warm-blooded animals, which is preventable through proper administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). In controlling rabies, delays in initiating post exposure vaccination (PEV) are a challenge in endemic regions. A study was conducted to assess the delay in initiation of PEV and identify associated factors in Ethiopia. Data was collected by face-to-face interviews from 260 dog bite victims or their guardians between January and June, 2025 using a questionnaire. Post exposure vaccination was considered delayed if it was initiated after 48 hours of the exposure incident. The prevalence of delayed initiation of PEV was calculated as a percentage from the number of individuals who initiated PEV after 48 hours and the total number of individuals exposed to rabies. Factors associated with delay were identified using logistic regression models. The prevalence of delayed in initiation of rabies PEV was 86.1% (224/260); 13.9% (36/260) of participants commenced vaccination within 48 hours of exposure. Severity of bite and ownership of biting animal were factors associated with the outcome. Deep bite (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.07 - 0.66, P = 0.008) and bitten by stray dogs (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.27 - 0.95, P = 0.033) reduced delay in initiation of PEV. Majority of respondents (88.5%) are aware of the existence, the signs (71.5%), the way of transmission (75.4%), and the fatal nature (96.5%) of rabies, and the need for PEV (95.4%). Another majority believe that the cost of the vaccine is fair and PEV is effective (95%), and and costs of the vaccination (76.2%) was not a reason for delay. In conclusion, the study outlined that respondents know many aspects of rabies control and had fewer barriers to uptake the PEV; however, the delay in initiating PEV was high. This underscores that respondents may not be aware of the risk of delay. Therefore, interventions focusing on the risk of delayed PEV initiation are needed. Author summary: Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease that is transmitted to humans mainly through a dog bite. The disease is entirely preventable by vaccinating vectors transmitting the rabies virus and administration of PEV. However, the PEV should be initiated as soon as possible following exposure. In Ethiopia, many people know the existence of rabies, its fatal nature, and the importance of PEV; but, death due to rabies is also high. Therefore, we conducted a questionnaire survey in individuals from the Central, North, and West Gondar Zones of the Amhara Region, Ethiopia, who were exposed to suspected rabid animals (or their guardians when victims were under 18 years of age) and sought rabies PEV at the Gondar Polyclinic,. Delay in initiating PEV was high, but respondents believe that the costs of the vaccination was fair. Delay was higher in victims bitten by owned dogs than those bitten by stray dogs, but victims initiate PEV without delay when they were bitten deep compared to shallow. Respondents knew many aspects of rabies control and had fewer barriers to uptake the PEV; but did not aware the risk of delay. Awareness creation on the risk of delay in initiating the PEV was suggested.", "abstract_shown": true, "affiliations": [ "Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia", "Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia", "Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia", "School of Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia", "Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia" ], "article_type": "Research Article", "arxiv": null, "author_total": 5, "authors": [ { "affs": [ 0 ], "name": "Bezawit Kassaw Hailu" }, { "affs": [ 1 ], "name": "Yitayew Demessie" }, { "affs": [ 2 ], "name": "Asnakew Mulaw Berihun" }, { "affs": [ 3 ], "name": "Abebe Belete Bitew" }, { "affs": [ 4 ], "name": "Sefinew Alemu Mekonnen" } ], "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9384hc7b7y0be.bib", "cited_by": 0, "doi": "10.1371/journal.pntd.0014729", "fulltext_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014729", "id": "9384hc7b7y0be", "issns": [ "1935-2735", "1935-2727" ], "landing_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014729", "language": "eng", "licence": "CC-BY", "licence_label": "CC BY", "licence_source": "article", "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/Microbiology/Medical microbiology/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Lyssavirus/Rabies virus" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Microbiology/Virology/Viral vaccines" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Eukaryota/Animals/Vertebrates/Amniotes/Mammals/Dogs" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/RNA viruses/Lyssavirus/Rabies virus" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/Viral pathogens/Lyssavirus/Rabies virus" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Veterinary science/Veterinary diseases" ], [ "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/Infectious disease control/Vaccines/Viral vaccines" ], [ "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/Pathology and laboratory medicine/Pathogens/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Lyssavirus/Rabies virus" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Preventive medicine/Vaccination and immunization" ], [ "plos", "/People and places/Geographical locations/Africa/Ethiopia" ] ], "openalex": "W7221676610", "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014729&type=printable", "pmcid": "PMC13660879", "pmid": null, "published": "2026-10-01", "publisher": "Public Library of Science", "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9384hc7b7y0be.ris", "sources": [ { "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:30Z", "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pntd.0014729", "source": "plos", "url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014729" }, { "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:35Z", "native_id": "PMC:PMC13660879", "source": "europepmc", "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13660879" } ], "subjects": [ { "field": "biology", "origin": "plos:immunology", "subfield": "immunology" }, { "field": "biology", "origin": "plos:microbiology", "subfield": "microbiology" }, { "field": "medicine", "origin": "plos:infectious diseases", "subfield": "infectious-disease" } ], "title": "Delay in initiation of rabies post-exposure vaccination and influencing factors in Gondar zones of Ethiopia", "title_text": "Delay in initiation of rabies post-exposure vaccination and influencing factors in Gondar zones of Ethiopia", "type": "peer-reviewed", "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:35Z", "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9384hc7b7y0be", "venue": "PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases", "versions": [] }