Prevalence of brucellosis among febrile patients attending outpatient department in the selected health centre IV’s in Teso region

Abstract

Brucellosis remains the most neglected zoonotic disease globally, being spread from areas where it’s endemic to other parts through trade of livestock and livestock products. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of human Brucellosis in Soroti catchment area among the febrile patients attending the Outpatient Department at Tiriri, Kalaki and Serere Health Centre IV’s. Venous blood from 373 randomly selected participants was examined for the presence of the antibodies against the Brucella antigen using Brucella agglutination test. It was found that 11 out of 373 samples turned positive for Brucella serological test which indicated 3% prevalence. The study revealed that Brucellosis was more prevalent among the females 63.6% compared to the males 36.4% which could be as a result of shifting gender roles (Elasu et al., 2023). Brucellosis was indeed prevalent in Soroti catchment area though at low status (3%) which was more likely to rise if control and preventive measures were not taken. Also could be as a result of not being within the cattle corridor and increase in milk consumption which was a new culture among the people living in the Soroti catchment area. Conclusion: The prevalence of brucellosis was low in the Soroti catchment area being agro-pastoral area which could be attributed to either low cattle population or could be on rise as a result of restocking programs as compared to the study by (Bushoborozi et al., 2023), Which indicated 18% prevalence of brucellosis among feverish patients in northern Uganda.