Survey of Brucella infection and malaria among Abattoir workers in Kampala and Mbarara Districts, Uganda.
BACKGROUND
Brucellosis is among the most widespread zoonotic infections estimated at 14% in Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the sero-prevalence, risk factors of Brucella infection and malaria among abattoir workers.


METHODS
A survey was conducted among 232 abattoir workers in main abattoirs of Kampala and Mbarara districts in February 2007. A pre-tested questionnaire captured socio-demographic and occupational data. Brachial vein blood was tested for Brucella using Microplate Agglutination Test (MAT) and Standard Tube Agglutination Test (STAT) with a cut off titre of 1:160, and giemsa stained blood slides for malaria. Data was analyzed in SPSS 17.0.


RESULTS
Seven males (3%, n = 232) had malaria and dual brucella and Plasmodium falciparum malaria was found in one person. Brucella sero-positivity was 10% (95% CI 6 - 16; n = 232) with 12% (n = 161) in Kampala and 7% (n = 71) in Mbarara district. Non-use of protective gear Odds ratio (OR 3.3, 95% CI (1.25 - 50) and working in the abattoir beyond 5 years OR 2.4 95% CI (1.4 - 5.6) were associated with increased risk of Brucella infection. Age, sex, religion, keeping animals and consumption of raw milk or products were not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Brucella infection is a real risk among abattoir workers and use of full protective gear reduced risk significantly. Sensitization and public health care programs are needed to control this emerging problem.
Department of Biosecurity, Ecosystems and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. lennfaith@yahoo.com.
Immaculate
I
Nabukenya
Deogratius
D
Kaddu-Mulindwa
George William
GW
Nasinyama
D000003:Abattoirs; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002002:Brucella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control