Knowledge and perceptions on zoonoses in Mayan communities from the state of Yucatán, Mexico

Abstract

It is estimated that 60% of infectious diseases, and up to 75% of emerging and reemerging diseases are zoonotic. Inhabitants of tropical rural areas are the most affected by zoonotic diseases. However, knowledge of these inhabitants in vulnerable areas about zoonotic diseases is rarely known and taken into consideration for prevention programs and disease control. Semi–structured questionnaires were applied to 96 inhabitants of Mayan communities from the state of Yucatán, Mexico, to investigate their knowledge and risk perception of rabies, taeniasis/cysticercosis complex, trichinosis, toxoplasmosis, rickettsiosis, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, leptospirosis and brucellosis. Rabies (88.5%) and Chagas disease (35.4%) were the most well–known diseases while taeniasis/cysticercosis complex (7.5%), brucellosis (3.1%), toxoplasmosis (1%) and trichinosis (1%) were the lesser–known diseases. None of the interviewees mentioned knowing rickettsiosis, leishmaniasis or leptospirosis. Of the inhabitants who had knowledge about rabies, 98.7% mentioned that the disease is spread by the bite of an animal, 60% indicated that the vaccination of animals prevents the disease, and 65% considered that this disease represents a high risk for health. Of the people who recognized Chagas disease, 93.7% mentioned that the disease is acquired through the bite of blood–sucking bugs, commonly referred to as “pics” in the Mayan language. In general, Chagas disease prevention measures were varied and infrequent, such as not touching “pics” (11.8%). Informative talks (46.9%) and television (29.2%) were the means through which they would like to receive information about diseases. Due to the inhabitants of tropical rural communities living with multiple socioeconomic and environmental conditions that increase the risk of exposure and transmission of zoonotic diseases, it is necessary to implement educational programs for control and prevention of zoonosis for short–, medium–, long–term that consider the knowledge, perceptions and necessities of the communities.

Keywords

• Diseases prevention
• one health
• rural areas
• zoonotic diseases