KNOWLEDGE AND RISK FACTORS OF EXPOSURE TO EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE AMONG BUSH MEAT HUNTERS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal, zoonotic infection caused by a virus of the Filoviridae family which is thought to be initially acquired by exposure to body fluids or tissue from infected animals, such as bats and non-human primates. However, the natural reservoir and mode of transmission to humans has not been confirmed. The study was carried out to assess the level of knowledge and risk factors of exposure to EVD among hunters in Kwara state. We conducted a cross-sectional study using structured questionnaires that were administered face-to­-face with bush meat hunters. The questionnaire included sections on Knowledge and Practice (KP), occupational hazards of hunting of bush meat and risk factors evaluation of EVD in high risk areas and bats migratory route in 4 Agro-ecological zones of Kwara State, Nigeria. We used a multistage random sampling technique and collected our data using ODK phones. We Data collected our data in Excel sheet analyzed with epi info 7. At 50% percentile, a score of 4 was the cut off for knowledge and 2 for risk assessment. We scored and graded knowledge and risk factors. We used frequencies and proportions to assess for univariate while chi square was used for bivariate analysis and unconditional logistic regression was used to assess for multi variate analysis. Of the 427 participants in the 13 Local Government Areas 424 (99.3 %) were male and majority of their ages ranged from 30 to 39 years (46.4 %) while the median age was 43 years (range: 20-90 years). All the hunters had other occupations and 264 (61.8 %) were farmers. Majority 236 (57.4 %) of the respondents had a poor knowledge of the disease. Knowledge on EVD differed significantly among Yorubas compared to other ethnic groups (x2 = 9.30, P < 0.002; OR = 1.9, 95%C.I. = 1.3- 2.9). There was also a significant association between education and knowledge of EVD (x2 = 3.35, P < 0.06; OR= 1.5, 95% C.I. =1.0-2.3). Majority 359 (84.1 %) said EVD outbreak in 2014 did not stop them from hunting. Most of the hunters 325 (76.1 %) were at low risk of exposure to EVD while 102 (23.9 %) were at high risk of exposure. Christians had a higher risk than Muslims (x2 = 5.72, p < 0.002; OR= 1.8, 95% C.I. = 1.1-3.0). Similarly, farmers were at a higher risk of exposure than non-farmers (x2 = 56.11, p < 0.0001; OR= 5.8, 95% C.l. = 3.6-8.5). Uneducated hunters were at higher risk than educated hunters (x2 = 23.95, p < 0.001; OR= 4.5, 95% C.l. = 2.4-8.6) The study concluded that the hunters had poor knowledge of EVD and were at low risk of exposure to the Ebola virus. Risk factors amongst hunters were religion, occupation and level of education. There is need to further enlighten hunters on the risks associated with hunting of bush meat through enlightenment campaigns and media programmes in order to avoid the likelihood of exposure to the Ebola virus.