Awareness about Human Brucellosis in Healthcare Professional in India

Abstract

Introduction: Human brucellosis is a widespread zoonosis of serious public health consequences. The infection is transmitted from animal to human through direct contact with infected animals or consumption of infected, unpasteurized animal milk. Being a disease with wide and non-specific clinical manifestations, a case of brucellosis can be detected only if the treating health care professional is aware of the disease and keeps a high rate of suspicion when dealing with suspected cases. We surveyed to find the extent of awareness about Human brucellosis in healthcare professionals in Gujarat, India. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare professionals from December 2020 to May 2021 using a self-administrated questionnaire. This study included healthcare professionals including AYUSH practicing in Gujarat. A validated questionnaire consisting of 23 items was administered to assess the knowledge of professionals toward suspecting, diagnosing, preventing, and managing a case of brucellosis. Both physical and Google forms were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program, IBM version 22. Results: Sixty-nine healthcare professionals responded to the questionnaire. The findings of the study showed overall good awareness about brucellosis with a higher rate of knowledge in allopathic healthcare professionals and nurses in comparison to AYUSH doctors. Nearly 50% of respondents did not know the treatment as well as the preventive potential of human brucellosis. Conclusion: The current study suggests a need for creating more awareness in the healthcare professional, particularly AYUSH practitioners about brucellosis for better management and prevention.