Baseline Questionnaire for Assessing Community Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Rabies in the Menabe Region, Madagascar (2020)

Context and Rationale:Rabies is a fatal viral zoonosis causing between 50,000 and 100,000 deaths annually, 95% of which occur in Africa and Asia, mainly in rural areas. Yet, the disease is entirely preventable through post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and mass dog vaccination. In Madagascar, rabies has been circulating since the 19ᵗʰ century and remains a major public health concern. Dogs account for more than 80% of animal cases, but community knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding this disease remain poorly documented. Objective:This dataset aims to describe community knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to rabies in the Menabe region, in order to identify gaps and potential levers to strengthen rabies prevention and control interventions. Nature of the Dataset:The dataset comes from a cross-sectional baseline survey conducted in 2020. Data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to households living near the Menabe protected areas. The dataset includes sociodemographic variables as well as indicators related to knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning rabies. Nature of the Questionnaire : This structured questionnaire was used to collect data during a cross-sectional baseline survey conducted in 2020 in the Menabe region of Madagascar. It includes sociodemographic variables and items measuring community knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding rabies. Scope:The dataset covers several rural communes in the Menabe region, representing communities located around protected areas. It serves as the reference point for monitoring changes in KAP over time, particularly following community-based rabies awareness interventions.