Uptake of prevention and control measures of plague: a post-plague outbreaks case-study of Sinda District,Zambia
Date
2017
Authors
Sinyangwe, Musenga Lottie
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Zambia’s recent plague outbreaks in 2001 and 2007 were of great public health concern
because of the potential to cause devastating social, environmental and economic effects in
the country. Plague is a virulent vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by Yersinia pestis and
has potential to infect humans and cause fatalities in 50 to 100 percent of cases if left
untreated. The disease is known to have had reduced the world population in the 14th century
from an estimated 450 million down to near 350 million. Consequently, plague remains a
global public health threat. As an active plague foci, Sinda District remains under alert for
subsequent outbreaks.
Effective efforts on prevention and control of plague requires targeted approaches designed
on the basis of adequate information on determinants of the uptake of plague prevention and
control measures (PCM). This study, therefore, was conducted on the premise of
understanding factors that determine uptake of PCM.
The study involved a cross-sectional survey design where two villages (Nyanje and Nsato)
where purposively selected before the selection of 178 households using multistage sampling.
From each household, a respondent (head of household or knowledgeable elderly person) was
interviewed. Additionally, two key informants’ interviews and one focus group discussion
supplemented information. The significance of explanatory variables influencing the uptake
of PCM was determined using multiple logistic regression analysis in Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS) with statistical significance set at P≤ 0.05.
The study population comprised mainly of female (61 percent). Majority (52 percent) are
indigenous to the study area. With only 43 percent having attained only primary education,
most of the study participants depend on faming and trading (43 and 50 percent respectively)
for their livelihoods. Multiple logistic regression showed significant associations between
literacy; sources of livelihoods; knowledge and perceptions (about plague and measures);
source of information about plague outbreaks and the uptake of PCM. Participants who
attained at least primary level of education are 79 percent likely to take up PCM than those
who have never been to school. It is further established that farming as a source of income
reduces odds of taking up PCM by 1 percent compared to 84 percent likelihood of taking up
PCM when trading is a source of income. The odds of taking up PCM are positive with
knowledge about plague and radio as source of information about outbreaks. However,
demographic characteristics are not associated with uptake of PCM.
The study has established that socio-economic factors such as education, source of
livelihoods, source of information and perceptions about plague outbreaks are key
determinants of the uptake of PCM. This in particular recommends design of strategies that
will cogitate the significant effect of these key determinants.
Description
THESIS MSC
Keywords
Plague--Prevention--Zambia , Rats--Control--Zambia