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dc.contributor.authorNinsiima, Lesley Rose
dc.contributor.authorNyakarahuka, Luke
dc.contributor.authorKisaka, Steven
dc.contributor.authorAtuheire, Collins GK.
dc.contributor.authorMugisha, Lawrence
dc.contributor.authorOdoch, Terence
dc.contributor.authorRomano, Javier Sánchez
dc.contributor.authorKlein, Jörn
dc.contributor.authorMor, Siobhan M.
dc.contributor.authorKankya, Clovice
dc.date.accessioned2024-03-22T11:34:46Z
dc.date.available2024-03-22T11:34:46Z
dc.date.issued2024-03-14
dc.description.abstractBackground Bats are a reservoir for many viruses causing haemorrhagic fevers. Proximity to bats is a risk factor for virus spillover to animals and humans. We conducted this study to assess knowledge, perceptions, and exposure to bats in communities living near bat roosts in Bundibugyo District, Uganda.<p> <p>Methods A cross-sectional study using mixed methods with both quantitative and qualitative data was conducted between September and December 2022. Participants for the quantitative data (survey) (n=384) resided near bat caves and/or roost sites and were selected using multistage random sampling. The survey investigated participants’ prior exposure to bats, as well as knowledge and perceptions of bat exposure. Logistic regression was used to deter mine factors associated with bat exposure. Participants for the qualitative data (focus group discussions) (n=10, 6–8 participants each) were purposely selected based on engagement in guano mining, hunting, and farming activities. Perceived risk associated with bat-related activities were identified and ranked in the focus group discussions using participatory epidemiology tools. <p>Results In total, (214/384, 55.7%) had a history of bat exposure and (208/384, 54.2%) had poor knowledge of risk factors associated with bat exposure. Increased exposure to bats was associated with being male (OR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.0, 2.4 p-value=0.038), staying in urban areas (OR=1.9; p-value=0.010), hunting (OR=10.9; p-value=0.024), and posi tive perception to bat guano being safe as fertiliser (OR=2.5; p-value=0.045). During the proportional piling process, a total of 7 risk factors were identified by 10 groups with hunting during an outbreak and consumption of bats being the most frequently identified. Overall, there was a strong statistical agreement in the ranking across the 10 focus groups (W=0.52; p<0.01; n=10). Based on the provided data, the adjusted odds ratio of 0.7 for the good measures (p-value=0.112), suggests a potential protective effect on the risk of bat exposure. <p>Conclusion Communities living around bat roosts frequently come into contact with bats, yet there is inadequate awareness regarding the behaviors that can lead to the transmission of bat- borne diseases to humans. It is essential to undertake educational initiatives and preventive measures to minimise the risks of bat-related infections. The need for targeted health communication and education eforts to address these knowledge gaps and promote an accurate understanding of bats and disease transmission. Understanding of diseases associated with bats will minimize bat-related health risks especially in communities engaged in wildlife hunting.en_US
dc.identifier.citationNinsiima, Nyakarahuka, Kisaka, Atuheire, Mugisha, Odoch, Romano, Klein, Mor, Kankya, Kankya. Knowledge, perceptions, and exposure to bats in communities living around bat roosts in Bundibugyo district, Uganda: implications for viral haemorrhagic fever prevention and control. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2024en_US
dc.identifier.cristinIDFRIDAID 2255801
dc.identifier.doi10.1186/s12879-024-09162-x
dc.identifier.issn1471-2334
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10037/33233
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisherBMCen_US
dc.relation.journalBMC Infectious Diseases
dc.rights.accessRightsopenAccessen_US
dc.rights.holderCopyright 2024 The Author(s)en_US
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0en_US
dc.rightsAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)en_US
dc.titleKnowledge, perceptions, and exposure to bats in communities living around bat roosts in Bundibugyo district, Uganda: implications for viral haemorrhagic fever prevention and controlen_US
dc.type.versionpublishedVersionen_US
dc.typeJournal articleen_US
dc.typeTidsskriftartikkelen_US
dc.typePeer revieweden_US


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Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)