Brucella Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Occupationally Exposed Humans in Selected Districts of Southern Province, Zambia
Background: Brucellosis is a neglected debilitating zoonosis widely recognized as an occupational health hazard. The seroprevalence of human anti-Brucella antibodies in high-risk populations, as well as their risk factors, have not been well-documented in Zambia. This study aimed at estimating the B...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-11-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.745244/full |
| _version_ | 1828146487208443904 |
|---|---|
| author | Melai Mubanga Melai Mubanga Ruth L. Mfune Ruth L. Mfune John Kothowa John Kothowa Ahmed S. Mohamud Ahmed S. Mohamud Chitalu Chanda John Mcgiven Flavien N. Bumbangi Bernard M. Hang'ombe Bernard M. Hang'ombe Jacques Godfroid Martin Simuunza Martin Simuunza John B. Muma |
| author_facet | Melai Mubanga Melai Mubanga Ruth L. Mfune Ruth L. Mfune John Kothowa John Kothowa Ahmed S. Mohamud Ahmed S. Mohamud Chitalu Chanda John Mcgiven Flavien N. Bumbangi Bernard M. Hang'ombe Bernard M. Hang'ombe Jacques Godfroid Martin Simuunza Martin Simuunza John B. Muma |
| author_sort | Melai Mubanga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Brucellosis is a neglected debilitating zoonosis widely recognized as an occupational health hazard. The seroprevalence of human anti-Brucella antibodies in high-risk populations, as well as their risk factors, have not been well-documented in Zambia. This study aimed at estimating the Brucella seroprevalence in herdsmen and abattoir workers and assess the associated risk factors.Methods: A cross-sectional seroepidemiological study was carried out between May and December 2020 among abattoir workers and herdsmen in Namwala, Monze and Choma districts of Southern Province in Zambia. Seroprevalence was assessed by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA) or competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) while a questionnaire was administered to obtain epidemiological data.Results: A total of 153 individuals were recruited in the study. The overall Brucella seroprevalence was 20.3% (95% CI: 14.6–27.5). Seropositivity among herdsmen and abattoir workers was 14.4% (95% CI: 9.2–21.8) and 46.4%, (95% CI: 28.8–65.0), respectively. Comparable seropositive results among districts showed Namwala with 26.9%, which was the highest, seconded by Monze 19.0%, and the least was Choma with 11.36%, seropositivity. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that occupation, age category, and district of residence were predictors of being seropositive to Brucella spp. antibodies. The odds of abattoir workers being seropositive to Brucella antibodies were 8.6 (95% CI: 2.6–28.2) higher than that of herdsmen being the reference group. The odds of age category 17–50 years being seropositive to Brucella antibodies were 7.0 (95% CI: 0.7–72.2) higher than being <16 years as the reference group. The odds of one having attained primary level of education being seropositive to Brucella were 1.3 (95% CI: 0.1–14.7) or secondary level of education were 6.2 (95% CI: 0.5–72.6) or tertiary level of education were 5.1 (95% CI: 0.2, 113.3) higher than that of no level of education as the reference group. Furthermore, the odds of a respondent being seropositive to Brucella antibodies were 4.5 (95% CI: 1.3–15.7) for Namwala and 4.9 (95% CI: 1.1–21.7) for Monze higher than that of Choma as the reference group.Conclusion: Anti-Brucella antibodies are prevalent among herdsmen and abattoir workers in the study areas of Zambia (20.26%), a sign of exposure to Brucella pathogens. Type of profession, age and level of education seem to influence the exposure to Brucella pathogens. This zoonosis should be considered as one of the differential diagnosis in humans presenting intermittent fever, malaria-like signs and general pain in humans. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T20:48:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-45e17700ab0845069f22f6e01407e34a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T20:48:59Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-45e17700ab0845069f22f6e01407e34a2022-12-22T04:03:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652021-11-01910.3389/fpubh.2021.745244745244Brucella Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Occupationally Exposed Humans in Selected Districts of Southern Province, ZambiaMelai Mubanga0Melai Mubanga1Ruth L. Mfune2Ruth L. Mfune3John Kothowa4John Kothowa5Ahmed S. Mohamud6Ahmed S. Mohamud7Chitalu Chanda8John Mcgiven9Flavien N. Bumbangi10Bernard M. Hang'ombe11Bernard M. Hang'ombe12Jacques Godfroid13Martin Simuunza14Martin Simuunza15John B. Muma16Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, ZambiaDepartment of Environmental Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Eden University, Lusaka, ZambiaDepartment of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, ZambiaDepartment of Public Health, Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Kitwe, ZambiaDepartment of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, ZambiaDepartment of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Blantyre Agriculture Development Division (BLADD), Mpemba, MalawiDepartment of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, ZambiaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Red Sea University, Galkaio, SomaliaInfectious Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, The University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, ZambiaAnimal and Plant Health Agency Woodham Lane, New Haw Surrey, United KingdomDepartment of Disease Control and Prevention, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Eden University, Lusaka, ZambiaDepartment of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia0Africa Center of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals, The University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia1Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, NorwayDepartment of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia0Africa Center of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals, The University of Zambia, Lusaka, ZambiaDepartment of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, ZambiaBackground: Brucellosis is a neglected debilitating zoonosis widely recognized as an occupational health hazard. The seroprevalence of human anti-Brucella antibodies in high-risk populations, as well as their risk factors, have not been well-documented in Zambia. This study aimed at estimating the Brucella seroprevalence in herdsmen and abattoir workers and assess the associated risk factors.Methods: A cross-sectional seroepidemiological study was carried out between May and December 2020 among abattoir workers and herdsmen in Namwala, Monze and Choma districts of Southern Province in Zambia. Seroprevalence was assessed by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA) or competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) while a questionnaire was administered to obtain epidemiological data.Results: A total of 153 individuals were recruited in the study. The overall Brucella seroprevalence was 20.3% (95% CI: 14.6–27.5). Seropositivity among herdsmen and abattoir workers was 14.4% (95% CI: 9.2–21.8) and 46.4%, (95% CI: 28.8–65.0), respectively. Comparable seropositive results among districts showed Namwala with 26.9%, which was the highest, seconded by Monze 19.0%, and the least was Choma with 11.36%, seropositivity. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that occupation, age category, and district of residence were predictors of being seropositive to Brucella spp. antibodies. The odds of abattoir workers being seropositive to Brucella antibodies were 8.6 (95% CI: 2.6–28.2) higher than that of herdsmen being the reference group. The odds of age category 17–50 years being seropositive to Brucella antibodies were 7.0 (95% CI: 0.7–72.2) higher than being <16 years as the reference group. The odds of one having attained primary level of education being seropositive to Brucella were 1.3 (95% CI: 0.1–14.7) or secondary level of education were 6.2 (95% CI: 0.5–72.6) or tertiary level of education were 5.1 (95% CI: 0.2, 113.3) higher than that of no level of education as the reference group. Furthermore, the odds of a respondent being seropositive to Brucella antibodies were 4.5 (95% CI: 1.3–15.7) for Namwala and 4.9 (95% CI: 1.1–21.7) for Monze higher than that of Choma as the reference group.Conclusion: Anti-Brucella antibodies are prevalent among herdsmen and abattoir workers in the study areas of Zambia (20.26%), a sign of exposure to Brucella pathogens. Type of profession, age and level of education seem to influence the exposure to Brucella pathogens. This zoonosis should be considered as one of the differential diagnosis in humans presenting intermittent fever, malaria-like signs and general pain in humans.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.745244/fullanti-bodieshuman Brucellarisk factorsseroprvalenceZambia |
| spellingShingle | Melai Mubanga Melai Mubanga Ruth L. Mfune Ruth L. Mfune John Kothowa John Kothowa Ahmed S. Mohamud Ahmed S. Mohamud Chitalu Chanda John Mcgiven Flavien N. Bumbangi Bernard M. Hang'ombe Bernard M. Hang'ombe Jacques Godfroid Martin Simuunza Martin Simuunza John B. Muma Brucella Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Occupationally Exposed Humans in Selected Districts of Southern Province, Zambia Frontiers in Public Health anti-bodies human Brucella risk factors seroprvalence Zambia |
| title | Brucella Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Occupationally Exposed Humans in Selected Districts of Southern Province, Zambia |
| title_full | Brucella Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Occupationally Exposed Humans in Selected Districts of Southern Province, Zambia |
| title_fullStr | Brucella Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Occupationally Exposed Humans in Selected Districts of Southern Province, Zambia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Brucella Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Occupationally Exposed Humans in Selected Districts of Southern Province, Zambia |
| title_short | Brucella Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Occupationally Exposed Humans in Selected Districts of Southern Province, Zambia |
| title_sort | brucella seroprevalence and associated risk factors in occupationally exposed humans in selected districts of southern province zambia |
| topic | anti-bodies human Brucella risk factors seroprvalence Zambia |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.745244/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT melaimubanga brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT melaimubanga brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT ruthlmfune brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT ruthlmfune brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT johnkothowa brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT johnkothowa brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT ahmedsmohamud brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT ahmedsmohamud brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT chitaluchanda brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT johnmcgiven brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT flaviennbumbangi brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT bernardmhangombe brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT bernardmhangombe brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT jacquesgodfroid brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT martinsimuunza brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT martinsimuunza brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia AT johnbmuma brucellaseroprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsinoccupationallyexposedhumansinselecteddistrictsofsouthernprovincezambia |