Cao Ba Khuong, Kaewkungwal Jaranit, Pacheun Oranut, Nguyen Thi To Uyen, Lawpoolsri Saranath
Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Faculty of Public Health, Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam.
Environ Health Insights. 2020 Jul 20;14:1178630220932540. doi: 10.1177/1178630220932540. eCollection 2020.
Zoonoses are an increasing concern worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. People with close contact with animals are at high risk for contracting and transmitting the zoonotic diseases.
To determine health literacy of livestock farmers toward biosecurity to prevent zoonotic diseases.
This cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted in Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam, where livestock and farming are the main occupation. The questionnaire survey was submitted to 218 farmers who have close contact with livestock. In addition, 8 farmers were invited to an in-depth interview to further explore the health literacy.
Half of the participants were men. The average age (standard deviation) of the participants was 49.3(11.5) years. The median years with experience in farming was 15 years. The majority (82.0%) of the participants had moderate health literacy level regarding zoonoses. Improper use of antibiotics was referred by 58.0% of participants, including antibiotic use as feeding supplements (34.0%) and the use of human antibiotics to treat sick animals (24.0%). Many participants were unaware of zoonotic prevention measures and due to this had practices such as not wearing protective equipment (60.0%), an absence of acaricides to prevent vector infestations (52.0%), an absence of disinfection measures (42.0%), low rate of rabies vaccination (54.0%), and do not quarantining sick animals (38.0%). In-depth interviews revealed great concern among farmers about a collective lack of participation from local veterinarians, health workers, and government authorities in zoonoses-prevention efforts. Statistical models showed that farm scale, ethnic groups, and perceived income were associated with the overall health literacy about zoonoses.
Comprehensive health education related to zoonotic diseases is recommended to improve overall knowledge, including routes of transmission, symptoms and consequences of diseases, and antibiotic usage. In addition, guidance should be provided to farmers on how to treat sick animals, the appropriate use of antibiotics, and waste management. Local veterinarians and health workers are important contact points and should work closely with the farmers to prevent zoonotic diseases.
人畜共患病在全球范围内日益受到关注，尤其是在低收入和中等收入国家。与动物密切接触的人感染和传播人畜共患病的风险很高。
确定家畜养殖户对预防人畜共患病生物安全措施的健康素养。
这项横断面混合方法研究在越南太原省进行，当地以畜牧业和农业为主要职业。向218名与家畜密切接触的养殖户发放了问卷调查。此外，邀请了8名养殖户进行深入访谈，以进一步探究其健康素养。
一半的参与者为男性。参与者的平均年龄（标准差）为49.3（11.5）岁。养殖经验的中位数为15年。大多数（82.0%）参与者对人畜共患病的健康素养水平中等。58.0%的参与者提到抗生素使用不当，包括将抗生素用作饲料添加剂（34.0%）以及使用人用抗生素治疗患病动物（24.0%）。许多参与者不了解人畜共患病的预防措施，因此存在不穿戴防护装备（60.0%）、没有杀螨剂预防病媒侵扰（52.0%）、没有消毒措施（42.0%）、狂犬病疫苗接种率低（54.0%）以及不隔离患病动物（38.0%）等行为。深入访谈显示，养殖户非常担心当地兽医、卫生工作者和政府当局在人畜共患病预防工作中缺乏集体参与。统计模型表明，农场规模、种族群体和感知收入与人畜共患病的总体健康素养相关。
建议开展与人畜共患病相关的全面健康教育，以提高总体知识水平，包括传播途径、疾病症状和后果以及抗生素使用。此外，应指导养殖户如何治疗患病动物、正确使用抗生素以及进行废物管理。当地兽医和卫生工作者是重要的联系点，应与养殖户密切合作以预防人畜共患病。
