Abstract
Zoonotic diseases pose a significant health challenge at the human-wildlife interface, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where ecosystem services contribute significantly to local livelihoods and individual well-being. In Uganda, the fragmented forests of Hoima district, form part of a "biodiversity and emerging infectious disease hotspot" composed of communities with high dependency on these wildlife protected areas, unaware of the associated health risks. We conducted a cross-sectional mixed methods study from March to May 2017 and interviewed 370 respondents, using a semi-structured questionnaire from eight villages neighbouring forest fragments in Hoima District, Uganda. Additionally, a total of ten (10) focus group discussions (FGDs) consisting of 6-10 men or women were conducted to further explore the drivers of hunting and perception of zoonotic disease risks at community level. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed using content analysis and STATA version 12 respectively. We found twenty-nine percent (29.0%, CI: 24.4-33.9) of respondents were engaged in hunting of wildlife such as chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and 45.8% (CI: 40.6-51.0), cane rats (Thryonomyidae spp). Acquisition of animal protein was among the main reasons why communities hunt (55.3%, CI: 50.1-60.4), followed by "cultural" and "medicinal" uses of wildlife and or its parts (22.7%, CI: 18.6-27.4). Results further revealed that hunting and bushmeat consumption is persistent for other perceived reasons like; bushmeat strengthens the body, helps mothers recover faster after delivery, boosts one's immunity and hunting is exercise for the body. However, respondents reported falling sick after consumption of bushmeat at least once (7.9%, CI: 5.3-11.1), with 5.3% (CI: 2.60-9.60) reporting similar symptoms among some family members. Generally, few respondents (37.0%, CI: 32.1-42.2) were aware of diseases transmissible from wildlife to humans, although 88.7% (CI: 85.0-92.0) had heard of Ebola or Marburg without context. Hunting non-human primate poses a health risk compared to edible rats (cane rats) and wild ruminants (cOR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.1-0.9) and (cOR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.2-2.1) respectively. Study suggests some of the pathways for zoonotic disease spillover to humans exist at interface areas driven by livelihoods, nutrition and cultural needs. This study offers opportunities for a comprehensive risk communication and health education strategy for communities living at the interface of wildlife and human interactions.
Highlights
Wildlife are known to be common reservoirs for some infectious diseases transmissible to humans [1]
The goals of this study were to: a) describe the nature of human-wildlife interaction that occur among communities around the forest fragments of Hoima, b) identify the potential pathways for disease spillover to humans from wildlife interaction, c) provide a synopsis of the health care services available and d) come up with some recommendation for interventions that will reduce such risks and the burden of these zoonoses among high human- wildlife contact communities
Two major themes emerged from the focus group discussions; human-wildlife interaction and health
Summary
Wildlife are known to be common reservoirs for some infectious diseases transmissible to humans [1]. Hoima District in Uganda is located close to the Congolese border in South West Uganda between two major forest blocks (Bugoma and Budongo) within the “biodiversity and emerging infectious disease hotspot” of the Albertine Rift Region [11] This area forms a mosaic of agricultural land, forest, woodland and grassland [12]. The human population (majorly comprised of the Bunyoro, Bakiga and Lugbara tribes) resident in this area commonly live close to forest fragments—often less than 1000ha in size and within 1 km of a forest edge [12,14] These fragments are inhabited by a mobile population of about 5000 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) that move within and between forest-farm habitats, causing increased conflict with human farming communities [12]. The other wildlife present include: black-and-white colobus (Colobus guereza occidentalis), vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops), tantalus monkey (Chlorocebus tantalus budetti), blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis stuhlmanni), red-tailed monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius schmidti) and olive baboon (Papio anubis), the gray-cheeked mangabey (Lophocebus albigena johnstoni), buffalo (Syncerus caffer), giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni), hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius),spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta), leopard (Panthera pardus), Rwenzori duiker (Cephalo phus rubidus), topi (Damaliscus lunatus), cane rats (Thryonomyidae spp), squirrels, and porcupine (Hystrix cristata) [12]
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