Zoonotic tuberculosis knowledge and practices among cattle handlers in selected districts of Bangladesh

Sk Shaheenur Islam; Tanzida Begum Rumi; S M Lutful Kabir; A K M Anisur Rahman; Md Mahmudul Hasan Faisal; Robiul Islam; Adri G M van der Zanden; Michael P Ward; Allen G Ross; Zeaur Rahim

doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0009394

Zoonotic tuberculosis knowledge and practices among cattle handlers in selected districts of Bangladesh

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021 Apr 30;15(4):e0009394. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009394. eCollection 2021 Apr.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Livestock Services, Krishi Khamar Sarak, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
² Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.
³ International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease and Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
⁴ Department of Medicine, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.
⁵ Department of Microbiology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
⁶ LAB MICTA, Hengelo, The Netherlands.
⁷ Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.

Abstract

We assessed zoonotic tuberculosis (zTB) knowledge and prevention and control practices of 404 cattle handlers via a survey in three dairy-intensive districts of Bangladesh. Most respondents were aged 30-49 (52%) and male (95%). Almost all (99%) recognized the important public health burden of tuberculosis in Bangladesh, however, most (58%) had inadequate knowledge about zTB transmission to humans. Inappropriate practices such as: not using protective equipment (98%); smoking, drinking or eating food whilst working with cattle (69%); and sharing the same premises with animals (83%) were identified. Cattle handlers educated at secondary or higher levels were 2.82- (95% CI: 1.59-5.10) and 5.15 times (95% CI: 1.74-15.20) more likely to have adequate knowledge of control and prevention activities compared to those with no formal education. Those who had reared animals for 1-5 years were 2.67 times (95% CI: 1.44-4.91) more likely to have adequate knowledge, compared to those who reared animals for >15 years. Cattle handlers with a monthly incomes of 10,000-20,000 taka were significantly (Odds Ratio = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.14-0.92) less likely to have adequate knowledge compared to those with monthly incomes <10,000 taka. Cattle handlers with high school or higher education were 6.98 times (95% CI: 2.47-19.71) more likely to use appropriate zTB control and prevention practices compared to those without formal education. Those who had reared animals for 1-5 years, 6-10 years and 11-15 years were 2.72- (95% CI: 1.42-5.24), 2.49- (95% CI: 1.29-4.77) and 2.86 times (95% CI: 1.13-7.23) more likely to apply appropriate practices compared to those who reared animals for >15 years. Overall, education, duration of cattle rearing and monthly income predicted zTB knowledge and practices. There is an urgent need to educate those at high-risk of zTB transmission on issues including the handling of infected animals, and general hygiene. A One Health approach, to support the Sustainable Development Goals and the End TB strategy, appears to be the way forward.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Animals
Bangladesh
Cattle
Cross-Sectional Studies
Educational Status
Farmers / psychology*
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Odds Ratio
Risk Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tuberculosis / prevention & control*
Tuberculosis / transmission
Young Adult
Zoonoses / prevention & control*
Zoonoses / transmission

Grants and funding

This research was funded by Krishi Gobeshona Foundation, Bangladesh (KGF, Project ID: TF-45-L/17). Currently, core/unrestricted funds are given by the Governments of Bangladesh, Canada, Sweden and the UK to icddr,b. icddr,b is grateful to these donors for their support of its research efforts. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.