Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding brucellosis in a rural population: A cross-sectional study

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Abstract

Brucellosis is recognized as a significant global zoonotic infection that disproportionately affects low-income settings. A community cross-sectional survey was carried out in a rural setting of northwest Iran between February and May 2023. Rural individuals were interviewed according to a questionnaire with questions about demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices relating to human brucellosis. We employed descriptive statistics to study knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns. In addition, we applied a multivariable logistic regression model to assess potential predictors of knowledge, attitudes, and practice related to brucellosis using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Among 700 participants, 91.1% were aware of brucellosis, and 85.7% identified cows, sheep, and goats as primary transmission sources. 75.6% and 78.7% recognized transmission risks via unpasteurized and raw milk products. 60.5% understood the benefits of boiling milk and using gloves. Attitudinally, 64.3% perceived higher risk for livestock owners and supported practices like milk pasteurization (70.5%), protective gear (84.4%), handwashing (92.2%), and animal vaccination (71.0%). 90% expressed a need for more information. In practice, 44.8% exclusively consumed boiled and pasteurized milk, 37.8% consumed fresh cheese, and 92.2% solely consumed thoroughly cooked animal meat. Logistic regression revealed that higher education and no prior history of the disease correlated with good knowledge and attitudes, while older participants displayed inappropriate practices compared to their younger counterparts. This study highlights the reasonably high awareness of brucellosis, particularly regarding transmission sources and preventive measures. However, the gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices still exist, with education level emerging as a significant factor. To improve prevention practices, tailored interventions addressing age-related disparities are necessary.

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Scale Development Research: A Content Analysis and Recommendations for Best Practices

R. L. Worthington, T. Whittaker (2006)

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Brucellosis remains a neglected disease in the developing world: a call for interdisciplinary action

K. A. Franc, R Krecek, B. Häsler … (2018)

Background Brucellosis is an endemic zoonotic disease in most of the developing world that causes devastating losses to the livestock industry and small-scale livestock holders. Infected animals exhibit clinical signs that are of economic significance to stakeholders and include reduced fertility, abortion, poor weight gain, lost draught power, and a substantial decline in milk production. In humans, brucellosis typically manifests as a variety of non-specific clinical signs. Chronicity and recurring febrile conditions, as well as devastating complications in pregnant women are common sequelae. Discussion In regions where the disease is endemic, brucellosis has far-reaching and deleterious effects on humans and animals alike. Deeply entrenched social misconceptions and fear of government intervention contribute to this disease continuing to smolder unchecked in most of the developing world, thereby limiting economic growth and inhibiting access to international markets. The losses in livestock productivity compromise food security and lead to shifts in the cognitive competency of the working generation, influence the propagation of gender inequality, and cause profound emotional suffering in farmers whose herds are affected. The acute and chronic symptoms of the disease in humans can result in a significant loss of workdays and a decline in the socioeconomic status of infected persons and their families from the associated loss of income. The burden of the disease to society includes significant human healthcare costs for diagnosis and treatment, and non-healthcare costs such as public education efforts to reduce disease transmission. Conclusion Brucellosis places significant burdens on the human healthcare system and limits the economic growth of individuals, communities, and nations where such development is especially important to diminish the prevalence of poverty. The implementation of public policy focused on mitigating the socioeconomic effects of brucellosis in human and animal populations is desperately needed. When developing a plan to mitigate the associated consequences, it is vital to consider both the abstract and quantifiable effects. This requires an interdisciplinary and collaborative, or One Health, approach that consists of public education, the development of an infrastructure for disease surveillance and reporting in both veterinary and medical fields, and campaigns for control in livestock and wildlife species.

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Economics of brucellosis impact and control in low-income countries.

Andrew McDermott, D. Grace, J. Zinsstag (2013)

Most data and evidence on the economic burden of brucellosis and the benefits of its control are from high-income and middle-income countries. However, the burden of brucellosis is greatest in low-income countries. This paper focuses on estimating the economic burdens of brucellosis in low-income countries in tropical Asia and Africa. The prospects for national, technically feasible, and economically viable, national brucellosis control programmes in most low-income countries are limited. However, some targeted control programmes will be beneficial and can probably be feasibly managed and provide good economic returns. More ambitious control will require a more general strengthening of Veterinary Services and livestock-sector capacity, using risk-management-based approaches.

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Author and article information

Contributors

Negin Gholizadeh

Eslam Moradi-Asl

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Heliyon

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Heliyon

Title: Heliyon

Publisher: Elsevier

ISSN (Electronic): 2405-8440

Publication date PMC-release: 15 March 2024

Publication date Collection: 30 March 2024

Publication date (Electronic): 15 March 2024

Volume: 10

Issue: 6

Electronic Location Identifier: e28041

Affiliations

[a ]Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran

[b ]Students Research Committee, Faculty of Public Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran

[c ]Arthropod-Borne Diseases Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran

Author notes

[* ]Corresponding author. Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran. moradiasl83@ 123456yahoo.com

[** ]Corresponding author negin.gholizadeh79@ 123456gmail.com

Article

Publisher Item ID: S2405-8440(24)04072-6 Publisher ID: e28041

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28041

PMC ID: 10965517

PubMed ID: 38545216

SO-VID: 2209e032-a420-4a20-8e7d-fa4bfd095bb0

License:

This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

History

Date received : 4 November 2023

Date revision received : 9 March 2024

Date accepted : 11 March 2024

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