Human behavioural factors implicated in outbreaks of human anthrax in the Tamale municipality of northern Ghana

The knowledge, attitude, beliefs and practices of cattle owners, herdsmen, butchers and meat consumers about anthrax were used to provide a better understanding of the major factors responsible for the frequent outbreaks of human anthrax in the Tamale municipality of northern Ghana. A total of 96% of the respondents, made up of 50 cattle owners, 50 herdsmen, 25 butchers and 125 consumers, knew of anthrax and the clinical signs indicative of anthrax in cattle. However, very few knew the causative agent and many attributed the disease to the supernatural. Eight percent of the respondents believed that herbal preparations could protect against human anthrax, while 9% indicated that they would seek help from traditional practitioners or herbalists, if they suspected anthrax. A significant proportion of respondents were of the view that animals, which had died of unknown causes could be eaten because they served as a source of inexpensive meat for the community, especially if the meat was cooked with herbs which was commonly thought to prevent anthrax. These attitudes, taken together with the low income of the population studied, made the consumption of meat from animals, which had died of unknown causes, an attractive option. This increased the vulnerability to human anthrax in an area with frequent anthrax outbreaks in livestock. The results of this study suggest that a public education campaign involving both veterinary and local health personnel on the actual cause and prevention of anthrax could reduce outbreaks of anthrax in people.