A mixed-methods study of community dog management and rabies awareness in Thailand
Author(s)
Thichumpa, Weerakorn
Rawson, Thomas
Hauck, Katharina
Garske, Tini
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Rabies elimination requires coordinated interventions across the human-animal-environment
interface, yet sustained progress is often hindered by systemic gaps between dog population
management, community engagement, and governance. This study investigated community perceptions and challenges related to rabies prevention and control across high-endemic areas in Thailand. Using a mixed‑methods design, secondary provincial quantitative data were integrated with qualitative thematic analysis from 57 stakeholders in high endemic areas, including public health officials, policymakers,
NGOs, animal‑welfare liaisons, and community members. The findings indicated standard rabies
awareness, 98.2% of participants demonstrated good preventive practices, recognized post-exposure
prophylaxis (PEP) as essential, and 68.4% possessed good knowledge. Although most supported dog
sterilization (59.6%) and vaccination (63.2%), only 19.3% perceived existing control campaigns as
effective. Main challenges included constrained operational resources (57.9%) and limited local
government budgets (40.4%). Free‑roaming community dogs were prevalent, with 54.4% of participants
identifying abandonment as the primary driver of population growth. Informal feeding networks
provided localized care for community dogs. While public willingness to fund management was relatively
low (33.3% willing to pay; 19.3% supporting co-payment), reflecting an expectation of local authority
crucial for achieving sustainable rabies elimination.
responsibility. Qualitatively, unclear boundaries between public health mandates and animal welfare
legal frameworks added complexity to rabies outbreak response and sometimes introduced institutional
challenges among local government and non-governmental sectors. Nevertheless, stakeholders strongly supported sustained sterilization and intersectoral collaboration. Addressing policy-practice gaps, stabilizing financing, and integrating community social dynamics into formal One Health governance are crucial for achieving sustainable rabies elimination.
interface, yet sustained progress is often hindered by systemic gaps between dog population
management, community engagement, and governance. This study investigated community perceptions and challenges related to rabies prevention and control across high-endemic areas in Thailand. Using a mixed‑methods design, secondary provincial quantitative data were integrated with qualitative thematic analysis from 57 stakeholders in high endemic areas, including public health officials, policymakers,
NGOs, animal‑welfare liaisons, and community members. The findings indicated standard rabies
awareness, 98.2% of participants demonstrated good preventive practices, recognized post-exposure
prophylaxis (PEP) as essential, and 68.4% possessed good knowledge. Although most supported dog
sterilization (59.6%) and vaccination (63.2%), only 19.3% perceived existing control campaigns as
effective. Main challenges included constrained operational resources (57.9%) and limited local
government budgets (40.4%). Free‑roaming community dogs were prevalent, with 54.4% of participants
identifying abandonment as the primary driver of population growth. Informal feeding networks
provided localized care for community dogs. While public willingness to fund management was relatively
low (33.3% willing to pay; 19.3% supporting co-payment), reflecting an expectation of local authority
crucial for achieving sustainable rabies elimination.
responsibility. Qualitatively, unclear boundaries between public health mandates and animal welfare
legal frameworks added complexity to rabies outbreak response and sometimes introduced institutional
challenges among local government and non-governmental sectors. Nevertheless, stakeholders strongly supported sustained sterilization and intersectoral collaboration. Addressing policy-practice gaps, stabilizing financing, and integrating community social dynamics into formal One Health governance are crucial for achieving sustainable rabies elimination.
Date Acceptance
2026-09-26
Citation
One Health
ISSN
2352-7714
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
One Health
Copyright Statement
Copyright This paper is embargoed until publication. Once published the Version of Record (VoR) will be available on immediate open access.
License URL
Publication Status
Accepted