(International Journal of One Health, 2017-05-05) Muloki Nabirye, Harriet; Erume, Joseph; Nasinyama, George William; Kungu, Joseph Morison; Nakavuma, Jesca; Ongeng, Duncan; Okello Owiny, David
Aim: This study aimed at determining the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the community, medical and veterinary
workers regarding brucellosis.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at selected health facilities in Apac, Gulu, Lira, and Pader
districts of Northern Uganda using a standardized questionnaire. A total of 251 patients testing positive for brucellosis using
the Brucella plate agglutination test, 59 medical and 29 veterinary workers were studied. Chi-square test at 95% confidence
level was used to analyze data.
Results: Only 8% patients, 15.3% medical, and 21.4% veterinary workers were knowledgeable on transmission methods
and symptoms for brucellosis and knowledge differed according to the level of education among patients (p=0.001), medical
(p=0.001), and veterinary workers (p=0.012). Over 80% patients, medical and veterinary workers had a positive attitude.
Only 8% patients, 13.6% medical, and 7.1% veterinary workers had good practices regarding brucellosis control.
Conclusion: Poor knowledge, poor practices, and positive attitude provide an opportunity for health education and policy
formulation for the control of brucellosis. The prevalence studies of human and animal brucellosis are recommended to
determine the magnitude of the problem.