Uptake of anthrax digital health messages and associated factors in Selela and Esilalei villages of Monduli district of Arusha Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Worldwide Anthrax remains endemic in Africa and Asia. A study done in northern Tanzania reported human Anthrax incidence risk was much higher in Arusha followed by Kilimanjaro region. Objective: To determine the level of uptake of Anthrax Digital Health Message and associated factors in Selela and Esilalei villages of Monduli District. Methodology: Cross-Sectional study design was conducted in April 2021 in only two villages namely Selela and Esilalei of Monduli District which was implementing digital health intervention on Anthrax in Tanzania. The household was the study unit and a total of 366 study participants (household) was selected using systematic random sampling after the enumeration of all households in these villages. Socio-demographic characteristics and other associated factors were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Proportions were calculated and the difference between uptake from media sources was done by using Pearson Chi-Squire test while analysis for unadjusted, adjusted, control for confounders and statistical significance was done by Modified Poisson Logistic regression adjusted for cluster effect of villages (Selela and Esilalei) using STATA software. Results: The majority of the study population were males 266 (72.68%). The mean age and standard deviation of participants were 42.42 (13.25) years. The majority were Masai tribe 86.10%. The overall proportional uptake of Anthrax Digital Messages was 60.10%, 95% CI= (55 - 65), the difference in uptake between these two villages was statistically significant, p-value <0.001. Proportional uptake of Anthrax messages from various media sources was 60.1% for digital platforms followed by 41% peer group, and the difference was statistically significant, p-value < 0.001. The study found that health literacy was associated with the uptake of Anthrax Digital messages (PRR=2.59, 95% CI = 2.51 –2.68, p-value < 0.001 and skills to operate smartphones (PRR=1.44, 95% CI = 1.00 –2.09), p-value = 0.050. Conclusion: Health literacy and skills to operate smartphones was the only factors associated with uptake of Anthrax Digital Messages in Selected villages of Monduli District.