Demographic and Ecological Survey of Dog Population in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. (9th April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Otolorin, Gbeminiyi Richard; Umoh, Jarlath U.; Dzikwi, Asabe Adamu
• Other Names: Klopfleisch R. Academic Editor.; Whisnant S. Academic Editor.; Yang W. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: ISRN veterinary science. Volume 2014(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-04-09
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine; Veterinary medicine; Periodical; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/806849
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-4452

Abstract

Abstract : Dog ecology is essential in understanding the distribution, structure, and population density of dogs and pattern of dog ownership in any given area. A cross-sectional study was designed to study dog ecology in Aba, Abia state, Nigeria, from April to June 2013. The study revealed that the 500 households surveyed possessed 5, 823 individuals and 747 dogs, giving a dog to human ratio of 1 : 7.8; hence dog population in Aba was estimated to be 68, 121. About 495/747 (66.3%) of the dogs were exotic and 465/747 (62.2%) were males. A total of 319/500 (63.8%) of the households had fences that restrained dog movement and there was no incidence of dog bite in 447/500 (89.4%) of the households surveyed. There were statistical associations between vaccination against antirabies and breeds of dogs (χ 2 = 79.8, df = 2, P < 0.005 ). Exotic breed (adjustedOR = 0.39 ;CI = 0.23 – 0.65 ) and local breed of dogs (adjustedOR = 0.08 ;CI = 0.04 – 0.14 ) had less odds of being vaccinated as compared to crossbreed of dogs. About 126 dogs (2.5 dogs per street) were estimated from street counts survey. The relative high dog to human ratio and low vaccination coverage of owned dogs population pose public health concerns requiring adequate public health education and proper antirabies vaccination coverage of dogs in the study area.