Awareness and attitudes towards anthrax and meat consumption practices among affected communities in Zambia: A mixed methods approach

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Doreen Chilolo SitaliJohn Bwalya Muma

Abstract

In Zambia, human anthrax cases often occur following cases of animal anthrax. Human behaviour has been implicated in this transmission. The objective of the study was to explore human behavioural patterns that may contribute to outbreaks of anthrax among affected communities. A mixed methods study was conducted in four districts of Zambia from November 2015 to February 2016. A cross sectional survey involving 1,127 respondents, six focus group discussions and seven key informant interviews with professional staff were conducted. Descriptive statistics on socio-demographic characteristics, awareness of anthrax, attitudes towards cattle vaccination and risk factors for anthrax and vaccination practices were run using STATA 12 for analysis. Overall, 88% of respondents heard about anthrax, 85.1% were aware that anthrax is transmitted by eating infected meat and 64.2% knew that animals and humans can be infected with anthrax. However, qualitative data suggested that awareness of anthrax varied across communities. Qualitative findings also indicated that, in Western and Muchinga provinces, human anthrax was transmitted by eating infected beef and hippo (Hippopotamus amphibious) meat, respectively. Although survey data indicated that ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 15, 2018·The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·Mathew MuturiM Kariuki Njenga
Sep 15, 2020·PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases·Olubunmi R AminuTaya L Forde
Oct 6, 2020·Journal of Tropical Medicine·Joseph M KunguWilliam Bazeyo
Sep 28, 2017·Tropical Animal Health and Production·Chisoni MumbaKarl M Rich
Sep 11, 2018·The Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research·Doreen C SitaliMusso Munyeme
Oct 20, 2020·PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases·Norman L MukaratiDavies M Pfukenyi
Nov 11, 2020·BMC Infectious Diseases·Gebremedhin Romha, Weldemelak Girmay
Feb 20, 2021·BMC Infectious Diseases·Leonard M NderituM Kariuki Njenga
Mar 30, 2021·PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases·Fredrick Tom OtienoBernard Bett

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Software Mentioned

Nvivo
STATA

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