Tribal differences in perception of tuberculosis: a possible role in tuberculosis control in Arusha, Tanzania.
METHODS
Arusha, Tanzania.


OBJECTIVE
To determine tribal differences in knowledge and practices that might influence tuberculosis control.


METHODS
Twenty-seven villages were selected randomly out of 242 villages in four districts. In each village, a general and a livestock keeping group were selected at random. The households were home-visited and 426 family members were interviewed.


RESULTS
On average, 40% of respondents practised habits that might expose them to both bovine and human tuberculosis. The Barabaig tribe had a significantly higher number of respondents (50%, chi2(2) = 5.1, P = 0.024) who did not boil milk. Eating uncooked meat or meat products was practised by 17.9% of all respondents. The habit was practised more by Iraqw (21.1%, chi2(2) = 6.9, P = 0.008) and Barabaig (31.6%, chi2(2) = 5.6, P = 0.016) than other tribes. About 75% of the respondents had a poor knowledge of tuberculosis.


CONCLUSIONS
All tribes had habits and beliefs that might expose them to both bovine and human tuberculosis. The Iraqw and Barabaig tribes practised such habits more than other tribes. Knowledge of tuberculosis was limited in all tribes.
Mfinanga
S G
SG
Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. gsmfinanga@yahoo.com
Mørkve
O
O
Kazwala
R R
RR
Cleaveland
S
S
Sharp
J M
JM
Shirima
G
G
Nilsen
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D014380:Tuberculosis, Bovine / Q000453:epidemiology