Current Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Ticks and Tick-Borne Zoonoses among Mixed Farming and Pastoral Communities in Gairo and Monduli Districts, Tanzania.

Abstract

Tick-borne zoonoses (TBZ) are a group of infectious diseases whose pathogens can be transmitted to animals and humans by ticks. They are among the emerging and reemerging infectious diseases that cause significant global health concerns. There is inadequate information about the occurrence and awareness of TBZ in some endemic areas, especially in rural communities in countries like Tanzania. In this study, a questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ticks and TBZ infection among 102 respondents (50 from the Monduli District, a livestock-wildlife area and 52 from Gairo District, not a livestock-wildlife area) in Tanzania. Knowledge of ticks and TBZ varied significantly, with the majority of the respondents in Gairo 35 (67.3%), but only 7 (14%) in Monduli, being aware that ticks can transmit pathogens to humans. A total of 70% of the respondents reported having been bitten by ticks, and the frequency varied significantly with respect to the locality, daily activities, and sex of the respondent. Many of the respondents from Gairo (55.8%) and Monduli (26%) mentioned muscle pain, flu-like symptoms, and fever as symptoms that often appear after a tick bite. None of the participants reported attending a healthcare facility after a tick bite. We recommend comprehensive community health education and campaigns to impart knowledge about potential zoonotic disease transmission by ticks, presenting symptoms of commonly known TBZ, along with advice to seek medical care when residents experience symptoms after a tick bite.