Incidents of dog bites involving humans in the Khakhu Madala local area of the Thulamela sub-district, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

Abstract

Background: The separation of humans and dogs in a domestic setting may be impossible due to their long history of domestication. This close interaction can lead to conflicts and dog bites, which can cause injuries, trauma or even death. Dog bites are often underestimated, posing a significant public health risk. This study examined dog bite incidents involving humans in the Khakhu Madala area of the Thulamela sub-district in Limpopo Province, conducted within primary healthcare (PHC) facilities.
Methods: A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive approach was used to investigate dog bite incidents in the Khakhu Madala local area. The study focused on registered dog-bite victims from PHC records between January 2020 and December 2021. Participants were selected through non-probability purposive sampling. Unstructured interviews conducted with 25 participants provided rich insights. Data analysis followed Tech’s eight-step criterion, ensuring trustworthiness through transferability, reliability, confirmability and credibility.
Results: Key themes included a lack of owner responsibility in controlling dogs, increased dog aggression contributed to the consumption of indigenous plants and other variations and structural environmental factors.
Conclusion: The study found that improving safety requires collaboration among health professionals, community engagement and evaluation of legislation. Further research on dog bite incidents is necessary.
Contribution: The article highlights the prevalence of dog bites. This will assist in raising public health awareness and in informing policies and legislation to better equip them to put measures in place regarding dog bite incidents. The article also contributes to bringing education on safe dog interactions, improving treatment protocols and informing stricter enforcement of dog control laws.