Factors Predisposing to Malta Fever among Families at Rural Community in El-Minia Governorate: Guidelines for Human Protection

Malta fever is a serious re-emerging zoonosis which vastly afflicts human health. Egypt has high prevalence rates of B. melitensis infections in cattle, buffaloes, camels, sheep, and goats yet it may account for 10% in high risk human population.Aim of the Work: To assess the predisposing factors to Malta fever among families at rural community in El-Minia Governorate in addition to providing guidelines to these families to protect themselves from the disease.Research Design: A descriptive correlational design was used to achieve the aims of the current study.Material and Methods: The study was conducted at El-Hatahta village at Samalout district affiliated to El-Minia governorate. Sample of 260 families were selected by systematic random sampling method. A semi structured interview questionnaire and an observational checklist were designed to assess demographic data, knowledge about the disease, consumption practices of milk, milk products and meat and practices during contact with animals or its wastes.Results: The current study revealed that 67.8% of the studied subjects total level of knowledge about Malta fever was unsatisfactory with statistical significance differences with educational level, duration of work in animal breeding and previous infection with Malta fever where p-value were 0.002, 0.000, 0.000 respectively. Eighty two point four percent of the studied subjects total level of practices related to Malta fever was poor with statistical significant differences with educational level and duration of work in animal breeding where p-value were 0.007, 0.006 respectively.Conclusion: Unsatisfactory level of knowledge and poor practices related to Malta fever among the majority of the studied subjects were factors which can predispose them to the disease. Although the investigator provided the subjects with relevant disease information at the end of the study to protect them selves from Malta fever, a coordinated, efficient and effective strategy for primary prevention of Malta fever is needed to mitigate the risk of infection.