Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Population towards Brucellosis in Ethiopia: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Brucellosis is one of the zoonotic pathogen in the world which is a challenging issues for health and responsible for enormous economic losses in many developing countries such as/like Ethiopia. Considering the high prevalence and economic importance of brucellosis, the aim of this study was systematically review published data to explore the distributions of the pooled knowledge, the awareness, attitude and practice of level of the disease in Ethiopia. Methodology: A comprehensive literature search was conducted through search engine includes Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, Scirus, Science Direct, HINARI databases, PubMed and reference lists of previous studies. Published articles were included based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Overall knowledge, awareness levels, attitude and practices of study participants regarding the mode of brucellosis transmission, zoonotic nature, and symptoms of brucellosis in animals and humans. Results were presented in funnel plot, the forest plot, figures, and tables with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI). To assess heterogeneity we used inconsistency index (I2) test statistics. And also we used random effect model and R studio (4.2.0) statistical software to compute the analysis of the data. The analysis was conducted and reported in accordance with Meta-analyses guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review. Results: After excluded articles which did not fulfill the inclusion criteria, a total of 28 original articles that reporting the brucellosis awareness levels of communities in Ethiopia were included in the analysis. 16.98% of the studies population had overall knowledge of brucellosis, and the pooled awareness levels regarding the zoonotic nature and mode of transmission of brucellosis were 22.75% with 95% CL (0.1337; 0.3373). And also 18.5% of study participants had awareness about clinical sign of signs of human and animal brucellosis. From the study participants, 74.3% of them had poor practice regarding transmission of brucellosis includes consumption of raw milk and meat, unsafely contact their animals. Sub-group analyses showed that there were differences in brucellosis awareness levels among regions. In Oromia region 20.4% of respondents had knowledge with 95% CL (0.0999; 0.2524), I2 = 94.8%, p-value < 0.0001 where as in Amhara region 69.8% of respondents had knowledge about brucellosis. Regarding attitudes in Amhara region the studies participants had lowest attitudes (22%) towards brucellosis as compared with others region. Conclusion: In general, the result of the present study showed that the population had less clear understanding about brucellosis as it affects their animals, cause abortion and its zoonotic importance. This result implies that it is necessary to create awareness of the zoonotic and its economic effect of brucellosis through a various methods, including the public media, veterinary professionals, community health extension, and local leaders.