Risk factors for human brucellosis in agro-pastoralist communities of south western Uganda: a case–control study

Abstract

BackgroundBrucellosis is a zoonosis of veterinary, public health and economic significance in most developing countries. The disease can result in permanent and disabling sequelae and considerable medical expenses in addition to loss of income due to loss of working hours. A case–control study was conducted in Nyabushozi, Kiruhura district, Uganda, so as to determine the risk factors for transmission of brucellosis to humans in these communities.MethodsWe conducted a matched case–control study among participants in a previous study who were positive by the standard Serum Agglutination Test with titres ≥1:160. Controls were two neighbors for each case, matched by sex and age. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data on potential risk factors for brucellosis. Categorical variables were presented as proportions and their associations determined by Chi-square test. Bivariate analysis was performed to explore associations between the disease and the risk factors of brucellosis. Conditional logistic regression models were fitted to estimate independent associations between the disease and the risk factors using Odds Ratios and 95 % confidence intervals.ResultsA total of 45 cases and 90 controls were interviewed. Of the 45 cases, 21 (46.7 %) were male while 44/90 (48.9 %) of the controls were female. The most significant risk factors for infection being an agro-pastoralist (P = 0.05), consumption of raw cow ghee (P = 0.03) and consumption of unpasteurized milk (P = 0.02).ConclusionThe greatest risk factors for acquiring brucellosis in the study area were being an agro-pastoralist, consumption of raw cow ghee and consumption of unboiled milk. We recommend dissemination of health education packages regarding risks and prevention measures for brucellosis in these communities.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1361-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Risk Factors for Human Brucellosis in Northern Tanzania

“…We found evidence of an association between brucellosis and cattle contact. This is in agreement with other studies from sub-Saharan Africa that have implicated cattle as an important reservoir, 17 , 29 , 30 and it indicates a potential role for cattle in the epidemiology of brucellosis in northern Tanzania. Our findings that brucellosis is associated both with cattle contact and with assisting goat or sheep births may suggest that both B. abortus and B. melitensis are circulating in northern Tanzania, or that a single Brucella species is infecting multiple livestock species.…”

A multifaceted risk model of brucellosis at the human–animal interface in Egypt

“…In our study, consumption of raw contaminated milk and milk products, contact with infected ruminants and involvement in infected animal abortion or parturition were the most frequently listed modes of brucellosis transmission. The participants’ responses regarding involvement in animal husbandry and consumption of milk as a mode of transmission were comparable to earlier findings in Egypt (Hegazy et al, ; Holt et al, ), Kenya (Obonyo & Gufu, ) and Uganda (Asiimwe, Kansiime, & Rwego, ; Kansiime et al, ). Other additional routes were mentioned, most of which have been previously identified in many studies as major risk factors for transmission of brucellosis at human–animal interface (Abo‐Shehada & Abu‐Halaweh, ; Al‐Shamahy et al, ; Calistri et al, ; Cooper, ; Earhart et al, ; Glynn & Lynn, ; Kozukeev, Ajeilat, Maes, and Favorov, ).…”

Brucellosis remains a neglected disease in the developing world: a call for interdisciplinary action

“…Preventative measures to control brucellosis in the human population are other important non-healthcare costs to consider. Risk factors for Brucella infection include occupations that involve contact with livestock or their products and the human consumption of raw milk products such as ghee and un-boiled milk [ 40 ]. The risk factors of brucellosis may vary from country to country and region to region, but most risk factors are similar.…”

“…The best way to control this ubiquitous infection is through the One Health approach which involves human health, animal health, and environmental health [ 41 ]. The dissemination of educational information about disease prevention to regions where Brucella is endemic is therefore essential for controlling the disease [ 40 ]. Furthermore, because infected animals and their products are the primary source of human infections, control of brucellosis in livestock and the development of an effective veterinary infrastructure is an important step to mitigating the disease in humans [ 42 ].…”