ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the knowledge and compliance status of prevention and control of brucellosis among high-risk populations in counties and districts with high incidence of brucellosis in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang for brief), and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of brucellosis and health education for high-risk populations.Methods:Huocheng County, a high incidence county of brucellosis in Xinjiang, was selected as the survey site. Three to six townships were selected, and two to three administrative villages were selected from each township as the survey villages. People over 18 years old and engaged in livestock breeding such as cattle and sheep breeders, livestock product processors, veterinarians and medical personnel were selected as the survey subjects. Face-to-face surveys were conducted by professional trained investigators in autumn and winter (December 2019 to January 2020) and spring and summer (April to July 2020). The survey included general demographic information, awareness of brucellosis prevention and control knowledge and the use of protective equipment.Results:A total of 600 people were surveyed, and 597 people completed the questionnaire, with an effective response rate of 99.50% (597/600). The overall awareness rate of brucellosis prevention and control knowledge was 68.23% (10 184/14 925), among which the awareness rate of clinical symptoms of human infection with brucellosis was high, at 73.53% (3 073/4 179). There were statistically significant differences in the awareness rate of main source of infection, main transmission route and clinical symptoms of human infection with brucellosis among people of different gender, age, nationality, education level and occupation ( P < 0.05). Among them, the awareness rate of clinical symptoms of human infection with brucellosis among veterinarians and medical personnel was 85.38% (514/602). The utilization rate of protective equipment such as rubber shoes and work clothes was high, which was 63.48% (379/597) and 60.97% (364/597), respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the utilization rate of protective equipment among different nationality, education level and occupation ( P < 0.05). Among them, The utilization rate of work clothes was the highest among people with college education or above, veterinarians and medical personnel, which was 82.61% (57/69) and 93.02% (80/86), respectively. Conclusions:The overall awareness rate of brucellosis prevention and control knowledge in high-risk groups in Huocheng County of Xinjiang is low, especially among high-risk groups such as those who are illiterate or have little literacy, and farmers, the awareness rate is low and the awareness of prevention and control is weak. There is a risk of brucellosis infection. It is necessary to further strengthen the education of brucellosis prevention and control knowledge among these groups.