Mumba Chisoni, Phiri Davies, Kabbudula Exillia, Gondwe Laila, Mebelo Noanga, Simweene Gubula, Hankolwe Mutinta N, Besa Kezzy, Sichone Suwilanji S, Kayula Mwila, Geoffrey Mainda, Fredrick Kivaria M, Bebay Charles, Baba Soumare, Jesse Mtui-Malamsha N, Filippini Suze P, Makungu Chitwambi
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
Department of Community Education and Lifelong Learning, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025 May 8;19(5):e0012852. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012852. eCollection 2025 May.
Anthrax remains a neglected zoonotic disease of critical public and animal health significance in Zambia, particularly in regions with active human-wildlife-livestock interfaces such as the Western, Southern and Eastern provinces of Zambia. This study explores the socio-ecological drivers of anthrax transmission and examines the role of legal and illegal wildlife trade value chains in sustaining outbreaks. Secondly, the study explores the methodology used to investigate community knowledge, perceptions, and the impacts of anthrax through focus group discussions (FGDs) and a hybrid approach combining traditional thematic analysis with artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The research was framed within the interpretivist paradigm, aiming to understand shared experiences and socio-cultural contexts. The study utilized focus groups to encourage interaction and generate rich, collective insights. The hybrid approach allowed for data analysis that combined researcher-led reflexivity with AI-driven thematic analysis. Findings reveal diverse levels of awareness about anthrax, widespread misconceptions, and the influence of cultural beliefs on health behaviours. Communities linked anthrax outbreaks to interactions with wildlife and the illegal game meat trade, highlighting the complex interplay of ecological, economic, and behavioural factors in disease dynamics. Additionally, the study underscores the socioeconomic toll of anthrax, including livestock losses, disrupted livelihoods, and food insecurity, compounded by inadequate public health and veterinary responses. The insights gained from this research emphasize the need for multi-sectoral interventions tailored to the specific needs of these communities.
炭疽病在赞比亚仍然是一种被忽视的人畜共患病，对公众和动物健康具有至关重要的意义，特别是在赞比亚西部、南部和东部等人类-野生动物-牲畜活动频繁交界的地区。本研究探讨了炭疽病传播的社会生态驱动因素，并考察了合法和非法野生动物贸易价值链在疫情持续爆发中的作用。其次，该研究通过焦点小组讨论以及将传统主题分析与人工智能工具相结合的混合方法，探索了用于调查社区对炭疽病的了解、认知以及其影响的方法。该研究以解释主义范式为框架，旨在理解共同经历和社会文化背景。研究利用焦点小组来促进互动并产生丰富的集体见解。这种混合方法使得数据分析能够将研究人员主导的反思性分析与人工智能驱动的主题分析相结合。研究结果揭示了人们对炭疽病的不同认知水平、普遍存在的误解以及文化信仰对健康行为的影响。社区将炭疽病疫情与与野生动物的接触以及非法野味贸易联系起来，凸显了生态、经济和行为因素在疾病动态中的复杂相互作用。此外，该研究强调了炭疽病造成的社会经济损失，包括牲畜损失、生计中断和粮食不安全，而公共卫生和兽医应对措施不足则使情况更加恶化。这项研究获得的见解强调了需要针对这些社区的特定需求制定多部门干预措施。
