Dog Bite Campaign Changes Rabies Prevention in Sierra Leone

This success story details how the “Stopping Dog Bites” campaign, led by Breakthrough ACTION in partnership with the government of Sierra Leone, tackled the pressing issues of dog bites and rabies in the country. Addressing challenges such as irresponsible ownership and misconceptions about rabies, the campaign employed a comprehensive approach integrating advocacy, community engagement, and mass media strategies. By leveraging the One Health framework, the campaign reached an estimated 2.5 million people through radio programs, print materials, community mobilization efforts led by Red Cross volunteers, and social media initiatives. Baseline and endline assessments demonstrated a significant increase in awareness and knowledge of rabies risks and prevention among exposed audience members, alongside tangible actions taken by community leaders to enforce proper dog care. The campaign’s success underscored the importance of tailored messaging, media diversity, community ownership, and cross-sector collaboration in achieving sustained impact in public health interventions.