Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Relating to Avian Influenza (H10N8) among Farmers' Markets Workers in Nanchang, China

Rural and Female Patients with Old Myocardial Infarction Lacked Knowledge and Preventive Measures During the Beginning of the COVID-19 Epidemic in Chongqing, Southwest China

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global threat. This study was performed to gain an understanding of COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among susceptible individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients who had been diagnosed with old myocardial infarction were followed up via telephone survey based on an established follow-up system at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak (January 2020) in Chongqing, Southwest China. RESULTS A total of 631 eligible patients participated in this survey, and 40.6% of the rural respondents did not know the transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2, which was higher than the proportion of urban respondents (40.6% vs 31.0). Rural residents had a lower rate of adopting preventive measures than urban residents, such as wearing masks (76.7% vs 90.1%), avoiding meetings and gatherings (58.6% vs 68.5%), and hand washing (56.0% vs 63.8%). A higher percentage of women than men did not take any preventive measures (11.3% vs 7.6%), while a lower percentage of women than men wore masks (77.7% vs 84.5%). Multiple logistic regression revealed that rural patients were more likely to lack knowledge about transmission (odds ratio (OR): 1.51). Rural patients had an increased risk of failing to implement protective measures. CONCLUSIONS Female and rural populations lacked knowledge and failed to adopt protective measures during the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic. Therefore, these populations may benefit from health education campaigns and policies.

Understanding attitude, practices and knowledge of zoonotic infectious disease risks among poultry farmers in Ghana

Zoonotic infectious diseases (ZIDs) are increasing globally, and livestock farmers in low‐ and middle‐income countries are at particularly high risk. An evaluation of farmer's behaviour on farms can be used to identify the risk factors and to develop tailored control strategies. This study documents the knowledge of zoonotic poultry diseases (ZPD) among 152 poultry farm workers (respondents) from 76 farms in the Ashanti region of Ghana and assessed their on‐farm attitude and practices that increase their risk to exposure of ZPD. The median age of respondents was 29 years, 91.4% (n = 139) had a formal education, and 80.9% (n = 123) had worked on the farm for more than 1 year. The majority of farms (n = 69, 90.8%) had multiple flocks and 27.6% (n = 21) kept other animals, of which 57.1% (n = 12) were pigs. The majority of respondents had good knowledge about poultry diseases but not about ZPD. A higher level of education and longer work experience improved respondents’ knowledge of poultry and ZPD. Although respondents identified the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) as a major ZPD preventive measure, the majority did not put that knowledge into practice. Most farms (71.1%, n = 54) had no footbath and 55.3% (n = 42) deposited farm‐waste on the farm. While 97.4% (n = 148) of respondents washed their hands after working, only 48.7% (n = 74) wore protective footwear, 2.7% (n = 4) wore overalls, 2% (n = 3) wore nose masks and none (n = 0) wore gloves. The husbandry practices and attitude of farmers expose them to pathogens on the farm and increase their risk of becoming infected with ZPD in the sub‐region. The results from this study could be used to promote human health among farm workers in Ghana.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with avian influenza along the live chicken market chains in Eastern China: A cross-sectional survey in Shanghai, Anhui, and Jiangsu

The avian influenza (AI) virus of the H7N9 subtype emerged in China in 2013. Live bird markets (LBMs) selling live meat chickens were indicated to present a high-risk of the virus dissemination. This study aimed to quantify the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on AI and to measure the associated risk factors among different actors along the live chicken market chain within H7N9-affected Eastern provinces in China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in these provinces from June to July 2014. Structured questionnaires about KAP on AI were delivered to chicken farmers, chicken vendors, and consumers in LBMs. Multivariable generalized least squares regression models were developed to identify predictors of KAP scores among different actors. Our results indicate that KAP scores of chicken farmers were generally higher than those of chicken vendors. Chicken farmers who worked for more than 15 years had significantly lower total KAP scores than those who worked for less than 6 years. Chicken farmers who worked more than 15 hrs in a day had significantly lower attitude scores than those who worked less than 6 hrs. For chicken vendors, females and individuals > 35 years old had significantly lower knowledge scores compared to the reference categories. Practice scores were significantly higher in female vendors and those vendors who also conducted slaughter compared to males and vendors who did not conduct slaughter. Consumers who bought chicken at least once every month had better risk awareness compared to those who bought chicken at least once every week. In addition, female consumers had significantly better practice scores than male consumers. In conclusion, risk-based health promotion interventions should be developed and implemented by animal health agencies (targeting farmers and vendors) and public health agencies (targeting frequent and male consumers) to prevent transmission of H7N9 along the market chain in China.

The Global Threat of Animal Influenza Viruses of Zoonotic Concern: Then and Now

Animal influenza viruses can reassort or mutate to infect and spread sustainably among people and cause a devastating worldwide pandemic. Since the first evidence of human infection with an animal influenza virus, in 1958, 16 different novel, zoonotic influenza A virus subtype groups in 29 countries, Taiwan, and Hong Kong have caused human infections, with differing severity and frequency. The frequency of novel influenza virus detection is increasing, and human infections with influenza A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) viruses are now annual seasonal occurrences in Asia. The study of the epidemiology and virology of animal influenza viruses is key to understanding pandemic risk and informing preparedness. This supplement brings together select recent articles that look at the risk of emergence and transmission of and approaches to prevent novel influenza virus infections.

Limited awareness of animal influenza prevention and control among Dai Lue smallholder farmers in Southwest China

Awareness of animal influenza and its prevention and control is important for ensuring livestock health, production and welfare. In China, a country stereotyped as a major source of emerging zoonotic infectious diseases, research on the public understanding of animal influenza is limited to the Han, the main ethnic group. The present qualitative study in Southwest China investigated awareness of animal influenza among the Dai, an ethnic minority. The participants (15 men and 10 women, ages 18–83) were smallholder farmers of pigs and poultry in rural areas of Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province. A mixture of interviews and group discussions took place in homes and villages. The participants were asked about their knowledge of avian influenza (H7N9), swine influenza (H1N1), precautions taken to protect against influenza, procedures when animals were sick and perceived risk of animal influenza. The data were analysed following coding and thematic analysis. The findings demonstrated a limited understanding of animal health and welfare among participants. Specifically, they were largely unaware of animal influenza (H7N9, H1N1) including its causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment. The farmers were also uninformed of the risks they faced and unknowingly engaged in behaviours which increased direct or indirect exposure to infected animals, a risk factor for human infection. They also reported poor usage of veterinary services. In order to guarantee the health, welfare and production of their livestock, immediate action is needed to enable Dai smallholder farmers to prevent and respond to animal influenza effectively and timely.

Epidemiological risk factors of knowledge and preventive practice regarding avian influenza among poultry farmers and live bird traders in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria

Avian Influenza (AI) is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A influenza virus. The disease has a pandemic risk leading to death or depopulation of millions of birds. This study determined the risk factors that predict adequate knowledge and good preventive practice measures towards AI, among poultry farmers and live bird traders in Ikorodu, Lagos State, South-western Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted with questionnaire on socio- demographics, knowledge of definition, and transmission of avian influenza administered to 244 respondents at interview. Descriptive, Chi-square and logistic regression analysis were carried out to explore associations between demographic characteristics, knowledge and preventive practice scores. All levels of significance were set at p < 0.05. The total knowledge score computed on a 25-item scale revealed a mean total knowledge of 9.9 (SD ± 6.6). Respondents aged <20 years, live bird traders and those with no formal education had the poorest knowledge. The total preventive practice score regarding avian influenza on a 9-item scale revealed a mean of 5.3 (SD ± 2.1). Younger respondents, live bird traders; those with no tertiary education and those spent <24 months in their profession had the poorest preventive practice score. Logistic regression analysis showed that increasing education (p < 0.05) significantly predicted adequate knowledge of avian influenza and good preventive practice among respondents. Poultry farmers and live bird traders, specially those with no formal education, should be aware of the transmission, seriousness and preventive measures of AI that will be reflected in the prevention and control of the disease in Nigeria.