Dog bite injuries as seen at Kenyatta National Hospital
Abstract
This was a prospective case series study over a duration of three months. The
purpose of the study was to determine the incidence of dog bite injuries, the
epidemiological characteristics of dog bites and their management and
complications.
Methodology: Consecutive and consenting patients who presented with dog
bite injury were recruited into the study. Data on demographics, circumstances
surrounding dog bite, clinical features, possible complications and risk factors for
infection was collected using a structured data sheet. This data was analysed
and presented in tables, charts, graphs and descriptively.
Results: Seventy three (73) patients with dog bite injuries were recruited into
the study. Most patients with dog bites resided in low Income and middle income
estates of Nairobi. The age range was between 2 to 68years with a mean of 21
112 years. Tile male to female ratio was 1.5: 1. Most of the biting dogs were male
and unvaconated against rabies. Most of the biting dogs (62%) were known to
the victim and wer-e unrestrained (66 out of 73). Sixty eight percent (68.5%) of
the bites occurred in or around the victim's compound or at a neiqhbour's
compound and 31.5% of the bites are by a stray dog. Eighty percent (80.8%) of
the bites were unprovoked.
Most of the injuries (64.64%) were puncture wounds involving mainly the lower
limbs (60.3%) or upper limbs (20.5%). Wound irrigation, debridement and
suturing was rarely used in treating dog bites while antibiotics were prescribed in
61.6% of the patients, tetanus toxoid injection was given to 82.2% and
antir-abies vaccination was provided to 9:1.8%. The commonest complication was
wound inFection (16.4%). Rabies and tetanus did not develop in any of tile study
subjects during the period of the study.
Conclusion: Dog bite injury is not 'an uncommon problem. A high wound
infection rate is probably related to poor patient evaluation and treatment
practices.
Recommendation: Dog bite injury management prolocol should be developed
and implemented at KNH. Studies should be carried out to clarify risk factors
involved in dog bites and to define the role of antibiotics in treating dog bite
injuries.
Citation
Mbinga, D. M(2005). Dog Bite Injuries As Seen At Kenyatta National HospitalPublisher
Department of Surgery, University of Nairobi
Description
Master of surgery Thesis