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Background: Brucellosis an important zoonotic disease worldwide, which frequently presents as an undiferentiated
febrile illness with otherwise varied and non-specifc clinical manifestations. Despite its importance, there are few
reports on its awareness among frontline health workers. This study aimed at assessing the baseline knowledge, atti tude and practice (KAP) related to detection and management of brucellosis among frontline health workers (FHWs)
namely; healthcare workers (HWs) and community health workers (CHWs).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to January 2020 in Kilosa and Chalinze dis tricts of Tanzania. Data on demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practices regarding brucellosis were
collected from the study participants using a structured questionnaire. Interviews were conducted with 32 HWs and
32 CHWs who were systematically selected in study districts. Chi square/fsher Exact was used to assess the associa tion between sociodemographic variables and those related to knowledge, attitude and practices.
Results: Overall, a total of 30 (93.8%) HWs and nine (28.1%) CHWs from the study districts heard about brucello sis, with (34.4%) of HWs having knowledge about the causative organism. Overall, knowledge showed almost half
(46.9%) HWs and (28.1%) CHWs were aware of the symptoms, clinical signs, diagnosis and control regarding brucel losis. Knowledge diference was statistically signifcant with HWs’ age (p=0.016). Almost half (46.9%) HWs and less
than quarter (12.5%) CHWs had good practices regarding brucellosis control. Almost three quarters (71.9%) of HWs
and (21.9%) CHWs had positive attitude regarding brucellosis control; overall attitude was statistically signifcant with
CHWs age (p=0.028) and education level (p=0.024). Lack of awareness and unavailability of diagnostic tools were
the main challenges faced by FHWs in the two districts.
Conclusion: The majority of participants were not aware of human brucellosis. Moreover, their overall knowledge
was inadequate and the common practices were diagnostic tools, and adequate knowledge to manage brucellosis
cases. These fndings highlight the need to strengthen frontline health workers knowledge, practices and diagnostic
capacities related to brucellosis |
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