Research Article | 05 May 2017

Brucellosis: Community, medical and veterinary workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Northern Uganda

Harriet Muloki Nabirye1,2, Joseph Erume3, George William Nasinyama1, Joseph Morison Kungu4, Jesca Nakavuma3, Duncan Ongeng2, and David Okello Owiny5Show more
1. Department of Biosecurity, Ecosystems and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062 Kampala, Uganda.
2. Department of Animal Production and Range Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Gulu University. P. O. Box 166, Gulu, Uganda.
3. Department of Biomolecular Resources and Biolab Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062 Kampala, Uganda.
4. Department of Livestock Health, National Livestock Resources Research Institute, P. O. Box 96, Tororo, Uganda.
5. Department of Biotechnical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062 Kampala, Uganda.

Corresponding author: David Okello Owiny (owinyd@gmail.com)

Received: 15-02-2017, Accepted: 12-04-2017, Published: 05-05-2017

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONE HEALTH | pg no. 12-18 | Vol. 3, Issue 1 | DOI: 10.14202/IJOH.2017.12-18
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Abstract

              
Background and Aim: This study aimed at determining the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the community, medical and veterinary workers regarding brucellosis.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at selected health facilities in Apac, Gulu, Lira, and Pader districts of Northern Uganda using a standardized questionnaire. A total of 251 patients testing positive for brucellosis using the Brucella plate agglutination test, 59 medical and 29 veterinary workers were studied. Chi-square test at 95% confidence level was used to analyze data.
Results: Only 8% patients, 15.3% medical, and 21.4% veterinary workers were knowledgeable on transmission methods and symptoms for brucellosis and knowledge differed according to the level of education among patients (p=0.001), medical (p=0.001), and veterinary workers (p=0.012). Over 80% patients, medical and veterinary workers had a positive attitude. Only 8% patients, 13.6% medical, and 7.1% veterinary workers had good practices regarding brucellosis control.
Conclusion: Poor knowledge, poor practices, and positive attitude provide an opportunity for health education and policy formulation for the control of brucellosis. The prevalence studies of human and animal brucellosis are recommended to determine the magnitude of the problem. Keywords: awareness, Brucellosis, patients, practitioners, Uganda.

             
Keywords: awareness, Brucellosis, patients, practitioners, Uganda.