Factors associated with pastoral community knowledge and occurrence of mycobacterial infections in Human-Animal Interface areas of Nakasongola and Mubende districts, Uganda
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Date
2010
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Public Health
Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are emerging opportunistic pathogens whose role in human
and animal disease is increasingly being recognized. Major concerns are their role as opportunistic pathogens in
HIV/AIDS infections. The role of open natural water sources as source and livestock/wildlife as reservoirs of
infections to man are well documented. This presents a health challenge to the pastoral systems in Africa that rely
mostly on open natural water sources to meet livestock and human needs. Recent study in the pastoral areas of
Uganda showed infections with same genotypes of NTM in pastoralists and their livestock. The aim of this study
was to determine the environmental, animal husbandry and socio-demographic factors associated with occurrence
and the pastoral community knowledge of mycobacterial infections at the human-environment-livestock/wildlife
interface (HELI) areas in pastoral ecosystems of Uganda.
Methods: Two hundred and fifty three (253) individuals were subjected to a questionnaire survey across the study
districts of Nakasongola and Mubende. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic
regression analysis.
Results: Humans sharing of the water sources with wild animals from the forest compared to savannah ecosystem
(OR = 3.3), the tribe of herding pastoral community (OR = 7.9), number of rooms present in household (3-5 vs. 1-2
rooms) (OR = 3.3) were the socio-demographic factors that influenced the level of knowledge on mycobacterial
infections among the pastoral communities. Tribe (OR = 6.4), use of spring vs. stream water for domestic use (OR =
4.5), presence of sediments in household water receptacle (OR = 2.32), non separation of water containers for
drinking and domestic use (OR = 2.46), sharing of drinking water sources with wild animals (OR = 2.1), duration of
involvement of >5 yrs in cattle keeping (OR = 3.7) and distance of household to animal night shelters (>20 meters)
(OR = 3.8) were significant socio-demographic factors associated with the risk of occurrence of mycobacterioses
among the pastoral communities in Uganda.
Conclusion: The socio-demographic, environmental and household related factors influence the risk of occurrence
as well as pastoralists’ knowledge of mycobacterial infections in the pastoral households at the humanenvironment-
livestock/wildlife pastoral interface areas of Uganda.
Description
Keywords
Pastoral community knowledge, Mycobacterial infections, Human-Animal Interface areas, Nakasongola, Uganda
Citation
Kankya et al.: Factors associated with pastoral community knowledge and occurrence of mycobacterial infections in Human-Animal Interface areas of Nakasongola and Mubende districts, Uganda. BMC Public Health 2010 10:471. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-471