title: Behavioural factors associated with cutaneous anthrax in Musadzi area of Gokwe North, Zimbabwe.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine behaviour factors for contracting human cutaneous anthrax among residents of Musadzi area.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a matched case-control study for age, sex, and village.
  
  
  METHODS
  A rural community in Musadzi area of Gokwe North district.
  
  
  METHODS
  We interviewed 35 cases and 35 controls. A case was defined as any resident/visitor of Musadzi, diagnosed with anthrax between 9 September and 10 November 2004. A control was any resident who had not been diagnosed with anthrax and had no lesions suggestive ofanthrax on day of the interview.
  
  
  METHODS
  Behaviour factors associated with contracting anthrax.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In September 2004, cattle were reported to be dying in Musadzi area. Bacillus anthracis was positively identified in a blood smear from some of the carcasses. The attack rate among humans was 5%. Risk factors associated with contracting anthrax were: skinning of animals that had died from unknown causes AOR=3.8 (95% CI:1.3-10.7); preparation of the meat for cooking (AOR=3.1 (95% CI:1.16-8-4); preparation of the meat for drying AOR=2.7 (95% CI: 1.0081-7.4); belonging to a religious or ethnic sect that allow handling of meat from animals that had died from unknown causes (AOR=5.2 (95% CI: 1.8-14.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The human anthrax outbreak was secondary to an anthrax epizootic occurring in cattle. The Ministry of Health activated the local zoonotic committee, carried out anthrax awareness campaigns, supervised the destruction of carcasses, disinfected potentially contaminated sites and introduced a participatory health education tool on anthrax. The veterinary department quarantined and vaccinated cattle.
authors: Kadoma City Health Department.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Chirundu
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Chihanga
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Chimusoro
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Chirenda
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Apollo
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Tshimanga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000881:Anthrax / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002417:Cattle; D003296:Cooking; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000382:microbiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012067:Religion; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology; D015047:Zoonoses