Determination of Brucellosis Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Amasya Province

Abstract

Objective: It is important to determine the current seroprevalence by investigating Brucellosis disease, which is an important cause of morbidity, in the general population. In this study, it was aimed to determine brucellosis seroprevalence and associated risk factors in the population residing in the city center of Amasya. Materiels and Methods: The population of this study consisted of the population aged fifteen and over living in the city center of Amasya. For the cross-sectional study, it was aimed to reach 464 people with the multi-stage sampling method. As a cluster unit, villages representing rural areas and family health centers representing neighborhoods in urban areas were taken. The data of the study were collected between 16/05/2022-22/02/2023. After the individuals included in the sample were informed about the purpose of the study and the procedures to be applied, a questionnaire form prepared by the researchers was applied to those who agreed to participate. Following the application of the questionnaire, venous blood sample was taken and specific immunoglobulins were investigated by Brucellacapt test in serum sample. Statistical significance level was accepted as p<0.05 for all tests. Results: Brucellosis seroprevalence was found to be 0.8% as a result of the study. It was determined that 4 seropositive cases were between the ages of 48-78 and all of them resided in rural areas (p=0.025). It was determined that 263 (55.6%) of the participants had not heard of Brucellosis before. The rate of being aware of Brucellosis disease was higher in people living in rural areas and having a high school or higher education level (p=0.028 and p=0.002, respectively). While 103 (49.0%) of the people who heard of brucellosis disease did not know any symptoms of the disease, the number of people who stated that they consumed food made from raw or unboiled milk in the last year was found to be 244 (51.3%). Conclusion: Considering that the disease is transmitted by aerosol from the barns where the sick animals are located, in addition to direct contact, it is necessary to inform the individuals dealing with animal husbandry to take adequate precautions. The fact that the rate of being aware of brucellosis is lower among those living in urban areas and those with secondary school education or below indicates that more educational studies on the disease should be carried out by targeting these segments in particular.

Keywords

• brucellosis
• seroprevalence
• risk factors

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