Seroprevalence of brucellosis in humans, knowledge and practices among patients and medical practitioners in Wakiso district, Uganda

Abstract Background In Uganda, brucellosis remains an endemic public health concern that requires adequate knowledge among the public and medical practitioners to reduce risk of transmission, correctly diagnose and manage infected humans. This study investigated the seroprevalence of human brucellosis, assessed knowledge of patients and medical practitioners about human brucellosis, and evaluated factors that influence good self-reported practices of medical practitioners towards the disease. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire and key informant guide among 300 patients and 30 medical practitioners respectively from May to July 2019 at Zia Angelina Health Centre, Wakiso district. Serum samples were tested for Brucella antibodies using Rose Bengal Plate Test. Cross tabulation between the five categories of professionals (nurses, laboratory personnel, medical doctors, clinicians, and pharmacists) and their responses to knowledge and practices was performed using Chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to measure the strength of association between overall knowledge and practice scores and demographic characteristics of study participants using odds ratios at 95% confidence intervals. Variables with p-value < 0.05 were considered as predictors of outcome. Results Human brucellosis seroprevalence was 0.3% (n = 1, CI: 0.0-2.4). Only 6.3% (n = 19, CI: 4.1–9.7) of patients were knowledgeable about human brucellosis, and having secondary education [AOR = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01–0.47, p = 0.007] was significantly associated with good knowledge. Overall, 26.7%, (n = 8, p = 0.414) of medical practitioners were considered to have good knowledge of human brucellosis, however, no predictor to good knowledge was found. About a third (33.3%, n = 10, p = 0.047) of respondents had an overall good self-reported practice score towards human brucellosis. Being at a certificate education level [AOR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.00-0.78, p = 0.033], and level of knowledge about brucellosis [AOR = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.00-0.59, p = 0.020] were identified as predictors of good practices. Conclusions The prevalence of human brucellosis was very low among patients who participated in the study, with participants having poor overall knowledge and practices towards the disease. These findings suggest a need for sensitization programs to improve human brucellosis awareness, and to enhance management of the disease in the health facilities.