Epidemiology and community awareness of brucellosis in Al-Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia.

2 Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt

3 College of Medicine, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia

4 Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria National University, Egypt

5 College of Medicine, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain

6 Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Brucellosis negatively influences economic, and health sectors in many countries due to underestimation of its burden. Aim: to determine the prevalence and community awareness of brucellosis in Al-Jouf region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: The prevalence of brucellosis was determined by collecting data from general hospitals and a questionnaire was distributed online to various community sectors. Results: The highest prevalence of brucellosis was recorded in Domat Al Jandal Hospital with nearly half of the cases. Among 551 individuals who agreed to share in the study, 42.9% were aged between 18-25 years, and nearly all were Saudi, and resident in Sakaka city (67.3%). Asking about brucellosis, 55.2% of the participants heard about the disease, only 20.4% knew mode of transmission, 61.7% of them did not know its complications, and 26.9% answered brucellosis can be transmitted from human to human, which is the wrong answer. Regarding the attitude of livestock/animal handlers (48.5%), about half of them refused to slaughter animals personally, or use gloves in contact with animals, 48.7% agreed on isolation of aborted animals from the herd and 55.4% of participants agreed on bury an aborted animal fetus. Conclusion: There has been a high prevalence of brucellosis in Domat Al Jandal region over the past 3 years (2020-2024). A decrease in community knowledge about the mode of transmission, complications, and ways of prevention of brucellosis was recorded. Positively, there is a good percentage of positive attitudes among livestock/animal handlers in in Al-Jouf region, except for using gloves. More educational programs are recommended.

Keywords

Microbes and Infectious Diseases

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 29 April 2025

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