Awareness and Practices Regarding Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever among Animal Handlers in Peri-urban Karachi and Rural Areas of Sindh

Abstract

Objective: To assess the awareness and practices among animal handlers regarding Crimean- Congo haemorrhagic fever and compare the awareness and practices among different groups of animal handlers in Sindh, Pakistan.
 Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted among 150 animal handlers with the response rate of 93%, including sellers, butchers, transporters, caretakers and veterinary doctors in peri-urban Karachi and rural areas of Sindh. Quota sampling technique was adopted to select the study population. The duration of the study was three months from August 2016 to October 2016; this period includes selling of animals of sacrifice for Eid-ul-Azha in temporary established markets. Data was entered into Epidata 3.1 and analysed using SPSS version 23.
 Results: A total of 150 participants enrolled in the study. The mean age of the study participants was
 35 ± 7.5 years. Among the subjects, 48% were uneducated. Overall, 52% of the participants were aware about the Crimean-Congo fever. The hygiene practice among animal handlers was found to be washing; 40.7%, bathing; 27.3% and tick removal; 11.3%. The awareness of Crimean-Congo fever among animal caretakers was 50%, animal sellers; 43.3%, transporters; 36.7% and butchers; 30% (p<0.001).
 Conclusion: The awareness among animal handlers was on the lower side among animal sellers, transporters, butchers and animal care taker and there is a need to improve the awareness level among these groups regarding practices, hygiene of the animal as well as handling procedures.