Determining the Knowledge Level of the Community On Brucellosis and its Prevention

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge level of the community living in Erzurum on brucellosis and its prevention. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in seven different villages of the city of Erzurum, where stock breeding is highly common, with 112 participants between April 5th and 10th April 5-10, 2014. For the gathering of data, a questionnaire consisting of questions aiming at determining the participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, involvement levels in stock breeding, and knowledge on brucellosis was used. The aim of the study was explained to all participants and all necessary offi cial permissions were obtained. Data were analyzed with the SPSS 15 Pack using frequencies test. Results: Results revealed that out of all the participants, 85.7% were involved in livestock care, 77.7% did both livestockcare and milking, 38.4% produced dairy products, and 79.5% did not use gloves when coming in contact with the animals’ bodily fluids, and that the consumption of unpasteurized milk anddairy products was quite high. Conclusion: It is crucial that the awareness of the community must be increased and necessary precautions should be taken in order to eradicate brucellosis.

Keywords

• Brucellosis
• milk and dairy product consumption
• level of knowledge
• prevention