Knowledge, attitudes and practices about anthrax, preliminary study in an endemic zone of Supe, Lima

Abstract

In Peru there are cattle zones that are endemic of anthrax; nevertheless, there are not studies about knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and practices that have the people about anthrax in relation to their mechanism of transmission, vaccination, and management of ill cattle. This information its needed to design promotional and preventive programs. After an anthrax outbreak in Supe Pueblo (cattle zone located to the north of Lima ), was carried a survey with 91 originating people, who lived and/or worked. The majority (81%) it recognized the meaning of anthrax as disease, 73% knew that one was a disease of the animals and the man, and 22% did not know that anthrax attacked the skin of the person. On infect of person to person, 66% responded correctly and 35% attributed as a punishment to the divine. Approximately 30% did not recognize the importance of the vaccination to avoid the disease. A 5% referred not to need medical therapy for the disease. The 80 % of the sample would benefit the ill animal, 8% would not bury it and 6% would sell their meat. About 20% of the sample did not recognize the differences between the meat of the healthy and ill animal and 4% would eat the meat of the ill animal. In conclusion, the knowledge, attitudes, practices and beliefs on anthrax in the studied sample are correct.