Abstract
BackgroundBrucellosis an important zoonotic disease worldwide, which frequently presents as an undifferentiated febrile illness with otherwise varied and non-specific clinical manifestations. Despite its importance, there are few reports on its awareness among frontline health workers. This study aimed at assessing the baseline knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) related to detection and management of brucellosis among frontline health workers (FHWs) namely; healthcare workers (HWs) and community health workers (CHWs).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to January 2020 in Kilosa and Chalinze districts of Tanzania. Data on demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practices regarding brucellosis were collected from the study participants using a structured questionnaire. Interviews were conducted with 32 HWs and 32 CHWs who were systematically selected in study districts. Chi square/fisher Exact was used to assess the association between sociodemographic variables and those related to knowledge, attitude and practices.ResultsOverall, a total of 30 (93.8%) HWs and nine (28.1%) CHWs from the study districts heard about brucellosis, with (34.4%) of HWs having knowledge about the causative organism. Overall, knowledge showed almost half (46.9%) HWs and (28.1%) CHWs were aware of the symptoms, clinical signs, diagnosis and control regarding brucellosis. Knowledge difference was statistically significant with HWs’ age (p = 0.016). Almost half (46.9%) HWs and less than quarter (12.5%) CHWs had good practices regarding brucellosis control. Almost three quarters (71.9%) of HWs and (21.9%) CHWs had positive attitude regarding brucellosis control; overall attitude was statistically significant with CHWs age (p = 0.028) and education level (p = 0.024). Lack of awareness and unavailability of diagnostic tools were the main challenges faced by FHWs in the two districts.ConclusionThe majority of participants were not aware of human brucellosis. Moreover, their overall knowledge was inadequate and the common practices were diagnostic tools, and adequate knowledge to manage brucellosis cases. These findings highlight the need to strengthen frontline health workers knowledge, practices and diagnostic capacities related to brucellosis.
Highlights
Brucellosis is one of the most common and highly infectious zoonotic disease globally [1]
The present study revealed a low awareness among the Community health workers (CHW) regarding brucellosis in both districts
The current study revealed that male CHWs were more positive in attitude regarding brucellosis prevention when compared to their female counterparts
Summary
Background Brucellosis is one of the most common and highly infectious zoonotic disease globally [1]. The disease has health and economic complications in both animals and humans [4] It is caused by various species of bacteria of the genus Brucella. Brucellosis is transmitted to humans mainly through consumption of products from infected animals including blood, meat and unpasteuralized milk, inhalation of contaminated airborne particulates, and/ or direct contact with infected animals or their products [2]. The major manifestation of brucellosis in animals is abortion, reduced fertility, weak offspring and reduction in milk production in some cases, infected animals may not show any clinical signs [10, 11]. This study aimed at assessing the baseline knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) related to detection and management of brucellosis among frontline health workers (FHWs) namely; healthcare workers (HWs) and community health workers (CHWs)
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