How many people have been bitten by dogs? A cross-sectional survey of prevalence, incidence and factors associated with dog bites in a UK community

摘要: Background Dog bite studies are typically based on hospital records and may be biased towards bites requiring significant medical treatment. This study investigated true dog prevalence incidence at a community-level victim-related risk factors, in order to inform policy prevention. Methods A cross-sectional of community 1280 households Cheshire, UK, surveyed 694 respondents 385 households. Data included ownership history, demographics, health personality (Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) brief measure). Multivariable logistic regression modelled factors for having ever been bitten by dog, accounting clustering individuals within Results quarter participants (24.78%, 95% CI 21.72 28.13) reported during their lifetime, with only third described further treatment 0.6% admission. Incidence was 18.7 (11.0–31.8) per 1000 population year. Males were 1.81 times more likely have lifetime than females (95% CI 1.20 2.72, P=0.005). Current owners multiple dogs 3.3 1.13 9.69, P=0.03) report people not currently owning dog. Regarding all described, most commonly that they had never met before the incident (54.7%). Individuals scoring higher emotional stability lower (OR=0.77 1 point change scale between 7, 0.66 0.9, P=0.001). Conclusion suggests real burden is considerably larger those estimated from records. Further, many do require hospital-based data representative wider population. Victim requires investigation potential consideration design prevention schemes.