Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Brucellosis among Parents in Aseer Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding brucellosis among parents in the Aseer region of southwestern Saudi Arabia in order to estimate the population sectors that are at high risk for accidental exposure to brucellosis. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2018, including 311 participants representing various genders, ages, and levels of education. Bivariate analysis showed a significant association of good awareness of the disease with the male gender and higher education levels. Of the 311 participants, 90.0% had good knowledge, whereas 10.0% showed inadequate knowledge about brucellosis. Practices and attitudes regarding brucellosis were satisfactory as participants did not eat meat from their own animals (52.7%), did not practice slaughtering (71.4%), did not participate in the birth of animals (91.3%), were not exposed to abortion in animals (93.2%), and practiced burial of aborted animal fetuses (59.2%). The practice regarding brucellosis was unsatisfactory as 66.6% never wore gloves when dealing with animals. The study concluded that the majority of parents showed fair and positive knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding brucellosis and found that gender and education were determinants of satisfactory awareness.

An educational intervention based on family-centered empowerment model to modify high-risk behaviors of brucellosis via mother education

“…A positive attitude toward the importance of chronic disease in cattle and especially abortion lead to better identification of disease in livestock 3 , 4 . It was evidenced that raising the brucellosis-correct information is the main aspect that has influenced their willingness and ability to modify risky behaviors of brucellosis 3 , 4 , 6 , 17 . Therefore, it is critical for the relevant healthcare professionals and authorities to take note of positive attitude as the main influential factors to modify risky behaviors of brucellosis.…”

“…In the case of brucellosis, high-risk behaviors, including inappropriate behaviors such as consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, lack of personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves when working in the barn and warehouse, and contact with livestock secretions of infected animals, which are completely related to insufficient knowledge and awareness of people, their self-efficacy status and attitude 9 , 12 . Preventing high-risk behavior depends on increasing the level of awareness and improving the level of attitudes and beliefs, and a prerequisite for disease prevention is to have self-efficacy or the belief of people in their abilities to control risky behavior 4 , 6 , 14 , 16 . Since most livestock are kept mobile and there is no individual identification system, the eradication, and control of this infection may not be achieved by and test, slaughter, and vaccination only.…”

“…Since most livestock are kept mobile and there is no individual identification system, the eradication, and control of this infection may not be achieved by and test, slaughter, and vaccination only. In some regions, vaccination or eradication of infected livestock is not possible 4 , 6 . Therefore, prevention of human infection is primarily based on increasing occupational hygiene, food-safety measures, and safety knowledge 11 , 12 .…”

The effects of health education intervention on promoting knowledge, beliefs and preventive behaviors on brucellosis among rural population in Nagpur district of Maharashtra state, India

“…Identifying disease prevention benefits can prepare the ground for further steps toward disease prevention. [ 37 ] After the HEI implementation, the score was improved among the subjects in the present study.…”

“…The studies conducted in Kolkata in India, Tanzania, Iran, and China reported that increased awareness and sensitivity ultimately lead to self-care to prevent any disease. [ 35 36 37 40 ] Finally, preventive behaviors against brucellosis can be encouraged by using the HEI paradigms. [ 41 42 ]…”