Review Article

Perceptions and Practices towards Anthrax in Selected Agricultural Communities in Arua District, Uganda

Table 2

Quotes of participants on awareness about anthrax.

ThemeQuote

Common diseases that affect humans in the community“Our biggest challenge has always been fever, malaria, cough, diarrhea, and typhoid. We are grateful to government that they have supplied mosquito nets, carried out deworming, and vaccination of children and pregnant mothers to reduce the burden of these diseases in our community. On some occasions, we experience symptoms similar to those shown in the pictures, but they clear by themselves,” female FGD, Parabok.
Common diseases that affect animals in the community“Livestock suffer a lot with diseases of ticks, tsetse flies, and worms. These diseases are so common especially during rainy season. After seeing pictures of cases with anthrax, we realize it could be occurring, but we have not been keen to know,” male FGD, Janduwa.
Heard of anthrax“Who would have told us about this anthrax, if it was not for you facilitators to sensitize us? There is a rumor of a strange skin disease among people in Pulwal whom they say ate dead carcasses”, male FGD, Ocea.
“We were sensitized last month by the health workers during our antenatal visits to the health center about a strange disease, which is spreading in our community after eating dead meat,” female FGD, Ombeniva.
Transmission and clinical signs“Sudden death occurred of 5 cattle in our village herd, and we decided to dress the carcasses for consumption. Two of the six of us suffered skin lesions. Several attempts to treat myself were in vain, but that very week, a team from Arua Hospital picked samples from us and reported later to us that I have anthrax,” male case, Pulwal.
“One month ago, our neighbor lost 12 goats within three days, and we suspected malice of a bad neighbor using witchcraft. It is now clear after seeing these pictures and explanations of the facilitators that it could have been anthrax,” female FGD, Ocea.
Control of anthrax“When skin lesions appeared and persisted, I visited nearby clinics and bought some Ampiclox capsules but I was unable to buy a full dose because I did not have money. However, we did not do anything for the livestock since they were not dying anymore,” male case, Pulwal.