Odinoh Raymond, Dawa Jeanette, Situma Silvia, Nyakarahuka Luke, Lepore Luciana, Vanlerberghe Veerle, Nasimiyu Carolyne, Makiala Sheila, Ifufa Christian, Mukadi Daniel, Viala Herve, Owor Nicholas, Bakamutumaho Barnabas, Ndumu Deo, Masumu Justin, Breiman Robert F, Njenga Kariuki
Washington State University Global Health Program, Nairobi, Kenya.
Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
medRxiv. 2024 Dec 2:2024.12.02.24318288. doi: 10.1101/2024.12.02.24318288.
Rift Valley Fever (RVF) has caused outbreaks in Africa, impacting human health and animal trade. Recently, sporadic detections among humans and animals in East Africa have replaced large-scale outbreaks. We assessed RVF knowledge levels in East and Central Africa across countries with different epidemiological profiles.
Individuals aged ≥10 years with acute febrile illness were enrolled from six health facilities in Kenya, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Sociodemographic information was collected and participants asked questions on RVF transmission, symptoms, prevention, and control. Blood samples were tested for anti-RVF antibodies (IgG and IgM). Knowledge was categorized as absent, basic, or advanced. Descriptive and ordinal logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with RVF knowledge.
Among 4,806 participants (median age 31, IQR 22-44, 57.5% female), only 20.5% demonstrated any RVF knowledge (16.4% basic, 4.1% advanced). Knowledge levels varied by country: DRC (3.1%), Uganda (16.1%), and Kenya (42.6%). Factors associated with RVF knowledge included age 20-40 years aOR 1.72 (95%CI 1,24-2.22) and >40 years 2.42 (95%CI 1.74-3.420), male gender aOR 1.54 (95%CI 1.31-1.82), healthcare workers aOR 7.95 (95%CI 5.25-12.1), residence in Kenya aOR 23.5 (95%CI 15.8-35.8) or Uganda 5.4 (95%CI 3.68-8.38), completing primary education aOR 3.24 (95%CI 1.94-5.75) with advanced education shown to increase knowledge, postgraduate aOR 11.5 (95%CI 4.0-32.4). Other factors included presence of livestock within the homes aOR 1.30 (95%CI 1.06-1.59) and prevention of mosquito bites aOR 1.55 (95%CI 0.46-0.66). Animal farmers, butchers, and those with close animal contact showed no association, despite being at-risk populations.
RVF knowledge was low overall, varying by country, age, education, and environmental factors. Increased awareness is crucial for high-exposure groups in all regions, particularly in Uganda, where exposure is higher, but knowledge remains low.
裂谷热（RVF）在非洲引发了多起疫情，对人类健康和动物贸易造成了影响。最近，东非地区人畜中出现的零星病例已取代了大规模疫情。我们评估了东非和中非不同流行病学特征国家的裂谷热知识水平。
从肯尼亚、乌干达和刚果民主共和国（DRC）的六个医疗机构招募了年龄≥10岁的急性发热疾病患者。收集了社会人口学信息，并询问参与者有关裂谷热传播、症状、预防和控制的问题。对血样进行了抗裂谷热抗体（IgG和IgM）检测。知识分为无、基础或高级三类。描述性和有序逻辑回归分析确定了与裂谷热知识相关的因素。
在4806名参与者中（中位年龄31岁，四分位间距22 - 44岁，57.5%为女性），只有20.5%表现出任何裂谷热知识（16.4%为基础水平，4.1%为高级水平）。知识水平因国家而异：刚果民主共和国（3.1%）、乌干达（16.1%）和肯尼亚（42.6%）。与裂谷热知识相关的因素包括20 - 40岁，调整后比值比（aOR）为1.72（95%置信区间[CI] 1.24 - 2.22），>40岁为2.42（95%CI 1.74 - 3.42），男性aOR为1.54（95%CI 1.31 - 1.82），医护人员aOR为7.95（95%CI 5.25 - 12.1），居住在肯尼亚aOR为23.5（95%CI 15.8 - 35.8）或乌干达为5.4（95%CI 3.68 - 8.38），完成小学教育aOR为3.24（95%CI 1.94 - 5.75），高等教育显示能增加知识，研究生aOR为11.5（95%CI 4.0 - 32.4）。其他因素包括家中有牲畜aOR为1.30（95%CI 1.06 - 1.59）和预防蚊虫叮咬aOR为1.55（95%CI 0.46 - （此处原文有误，应为0.66））。动物养殖户、屠夫以及与动物密切接触者虽属于高危人群，但未显示出相关性。
总体而言，裂谷热知识水平较低，因国家、年龄、教育程度和环境因素而异。提高认识对所有地区的高暴露人群至关重要，特别是在乌干达，那里暴露风险较高，但知识水平仍然较低。
