FACTORS AFFECTING WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR RABIES PRE-EXPOSURE VACCINATION AMONG VETERINARY STUDENTS AND STAFF AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination coverage among veterinarians and students has significantly reduced because of the financial constrain created on the university administration and her changes in funding behavior. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative financing scheme to ensure access to rabies vaccination to protect these occupational at risk group. The objective of the study was to determine the risk perception, attitude and factors affecting willingness to pay for rabies pre-exposure vaccination and to determine the amount they are willing to pay for rabies immunization program. A cross-sectional study was carried out at the faculty of veterinary medicine, University of Ibadan in the period of October-December 2016 using a structured questionnaire. The study population comprised 307 veterinary students and 95 veterinary staff. An average of 44 students were selected from each of the levels of study and an average of 14 staff selected from each department. Cluster sampling method was used to select respondents. Direct customer service technique was used to determine the amounts respondents are willing to pay. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Chi square test and logistic regression at p-value-0.05. Half of the veterinary staff had received pre-exposure vaccination while half of the veterinary staff sampled were clinicians. Only one-quarter of the respondents had been bitten by dog in the past. About 70% of the veterinary staff had low risk perception of rabies. The overall pre-exposure vaccination coverage among the respondents was 30.1%. Pre-exposure vaccination coverage was higher among staff than students and the difference was statistically significant. Students have better attitude toward rabies vaccination than the staff and the difference was statistical significance. Majority of (86.3%) of respondents were willing to accept pre-exposure vaccination out of which 73.6% were willing to pay should the university refused to pay. Gender, previous dog bite, attitude, awareness and willingness to accept vaccination were all associated with WTP and were statistically significant. Only gender and willingness to accept vaccination were the predictors of WTP after adjusting for other confounding variables. The average amount students were willing to pay was N5.647 ± N3,040 while the staff were willing to pay 6.964± N3,143. Veterinary lecturers should always educate their students on risk inherent in veterinary profession. A policy should be formulated either to include the cost of rabies vaccination in students' school fees at a subsidized rate, solicit for external donors to bear the cost or make pre-exposure vaccination certificate requirement for matriculation into veterinary colleges.