Arif Shumaila, Thomson Peter C, Hernandez-Jover Marta, McGill David M, Warriach Hassan Mahmood, Heller Jane
School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
PLoS One. 2017 Mar 16;12(3):e0173365. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173365. eCollection 2017.
The present study aimed to assess the extent of knowledge and understanding of brucellosis in smallholder dairy farmers and identify practices at the farm and household level that might pose a risk for humans contracting brucellosis. Between February and June 2015 a cross-sectional study was conducted among smallholder farms (n = 420) in five districts of Punjab and two districts of Sindh province. Farmers were interviewed using a questionnaire to obtain information on farmers' knowledge about brucellosis and the potential risks for contracting the disease that are present for dairy farmers and their families. Logistic regression and ordinal logistic models were used to investigate potential predictors for risky behaviours. The results show almost all farmers (97%) were not aware of the modes of transmission of brucellosis. Relating to risk, the majority (66%) of the farmers' families were reported to consume raw milk and its products, live in shared housing with animals (49%) and not cover hand cuts during contact with animals (74%). All farmers performed at least one risky practice on a regular basis for brucellosis transmission from animal to human. A multivariable analysis highlighted that the respondents with no formal education and those who had not heard of the disease displayed greater risky behaviour. Poor understanding of the disease, presence of multiple risky practices on farm and at the household, and incorrect perception supports the need for an educational awareness program in order to ensure uptake of improved practices.
本研究旨在评估小农户奶农对布鲁氏菌病的知识了解程度，并确定农场和家庭层面可能会使人类感染布鲁氏菌病的风险行为。2015年2月至6月，在旁遮普邦的五个区和信德省的两个区的小农户农场（n = 420）中开展了一项横断面研究。通过问卷调查对农民进行访谈，以获取有关农民对布鲁氏菌病的了解以及奶农及其家庭感染该疾病的潜在风险的信息。使用逻辑回归和有序逻辑模型来调查危险行为的潜在预测因素。结果显示，几乎所有农民（97%）都不知道布鲁氏菌病的传播方式。在风险方面，据报告，大多数（66%）农民家庭饮用生奶及其制品，与动物同住（49%），并且在接触动物时不包扎手上的伤口（74%）。所有农民都至少定期进行一种会导致布鲁氏菌病从动物传播给人类的危险行为。多变量分析强调，未受过正规教育以及未听说过该疾病的受访者表现出更大的危险行为。对该疾病的了解不足、农场和家庭中存在多种危险行为以及错误认知，都表明需要开展一项教育宣传计划，以确保采用改进措施。
