Seroprevalence of Brucellosis among Farmers and Veterinary Technical Staff in the Central States of Peninsular Malaysia

Bamaiyi P.H., Hassan L., Khairani-Bejo S., Zainalabidin M., Adzhar A., Mokhtar N., Ramlan M., Chandrawathani P., Hamidah N., Abdullah N., Husna Maizura A.M., Khebir B.V.
2017 Sains Malaysiana  
A study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with brucellosis in farmers, veterinary technical staff and other volunteers in Peninsular Malaysia using the One Health concept. A cross sectional study design was employed to sample a population of farmers and Veterinary technical staff on a volunteer basis. The Brucella Coombs test was used to elucidate the seroprevalence of brucellosis in the sampled population and the associated factors and predictors for
more » ... ellosis. The seroprevalence of brucellosis among farmers and non-farmers (veterinary technical staff and others) of 446 people studied was 1.35% (95% CI=0.28-2.42). Occupation, age and drinking unpasteurized milk were significant risk factors for brucellosis using multivariate logistic regression at 90% confidence level. The odds of having brucellosis increased by 7.19 times in farmers compared to non-farmers (90% CI=1.16, 44.71), it increased 7.16 times in individuals 40 years and below compared with those above 40 years old (90% CI=1.16, 44.41) and 4.45 times among those who drink unpasteurized milk compared to those who do not (90% CI= 1.03, 19.15). This study highlights the current state of human brucellosis in Malaysia among those groups that are occupationally at risk. A nationwide health education of the occupationally exposed population especially farmers may decrease the incidence of the infection and support the on-going eradication efforts of brucellosis in Malaysia. ABSTRAK Satu kajian telah dijalankan untuk menentukan seroprevalens dan faktor risiko kaitan antara bruselosis dalam kalangan peladang, pekerja teknikal veterinar dan sukarelawan di Semenanjung Malaysia menggunakan konsep One Health. Kajian keratan lintang digunakan untuk persampelan dalam populasi peladang dan pekerja teknikal veterinar secara sukarela. Ujian Coombs bagi Brucella digunakan untuk menjelaskan seroprevalens bruselosis dalam kalangan sampel dan kaitan antara faktor dan ramalan untuk bruselosis. Seroprevalens bagi bruselosis dalam kalangan peladang dan bukan peladang (pekerja teknikal veterinar dan sukarelawan) yang berjumlah 446 orang ialah 1.35% (95% CI=0.28-2.42). Pekerjaan, umur dan minum susu yang tidak dipasteur merupakan faktor risiko yang signifikan bagi bruselosis apabila diuji dengan regrasi logistik multivarian pada aras keyakinan 90%. Ramalan untuk mendapat bruselosis meningkat sebanyak 7.19 kali dalam kalangan peladang berbanding bukan peladang (90% CI=1.16, 44.41) dan 4.45 kali dalam kalangan mereka yang minum susu yang tidak dipasteur berbanding dengan yang tidak minum susu (90% CI= 1.03, 19.15). Kajian ini menggambarkan keadaan semasa kejadian bruselosis dalam kalangan pekerja yang terlibat dengan perladangan. Pendidikan kesihatan perlu dijalankan dalam kalangan pekerja terutamanya peladang agar dapat menurunkan kadar jangkitan penyakit di samping sokongan berterusan dalam usaha pembanterasan bruselosis di Malaysia.
doi:10.17576/jsm-2017-4606-13 fatcat:sorqgagyejarlob7t4resz2w7i