Accès ouvert

Prevalence and predisposing factors of covid-19 in Bwindi -Mgahinga mountain gorilla conservation area landscape, Uganda

Article scientifique 2023 Anglais

Résumé

Abstract Background: Mountain gorillas are endangered primate that share 99% of their DNA with humans. It is possible that the now mutated form of SARS-CoV2 in humans could spread to these endangered species. To estimate the potential risk of spread, a study to determine the prevalence of Covid19 in Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area landscape and its associated predisposing factors was done in communities of the three districts of Kanungu, Kisoro and Rubanda which host the Conservation Area. A cross sectional study was conducted on likely high-risk groups such as boda boda cyclists, tour guides, people in market places, community members and patients attending health care services. Methods: Nasal pharyngeal swabs were obtained from 576 participants, 282 being female and 248 males. The samples were analyzed using conventional PCR test at Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and the prevalence of COVID19 determined. Demographic and other supporting data were collected using a structured questionnaire in kobo collect application in the field and was analyzed in Stata (version 14) using logistic regression to determine the risk factors associated with the prevalence of COVID19. Results: The overall prevalence of COVID19 among people neighboring the conservation area was 8.0%, with Kanungu having the highest prevalence of 14.7% followed by Kisoro (11.0%) and Rubanda (6.2%). Wearing of a mask (p = 0.008, OR = 0.377), being in the age category of 20-39 years (p = 0.02, OR = 0.269) were protective factors, while hugging (p = 0.035, OR = 2.15) increased the risk of COVID-19 spread respectively. Conclusion: It was evident in this study that COVID-19 occurred in communities around the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area. Therefore, people working and visiting endangered mountain gorillas need to follow standard operating procedures particularly putting on masks to reduce the likelihood of transmitting Covid19 among humans as well as the gorillas

Citer ce document

Kungu, J., Neumbe, J., Kiganira, D., Tino, P., Namayanja, J., Kassuja, R., Nankya, A., Nizeyi, J. (2023). Prevalence and predisposing factors of covid-19 in Bwindi -Mgahinga mountain gorilla conservation area landscape, Uganda. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3249420/v1

Accès au document

Texte intégral en lecture en ligne, réservé aux abonnés SPHAERO et aux membres de l'institution. Se connecter

Voir l'article sur le site de la revue

Auteur(s)

Joseph Kungu Joan Neumbe Dan Brian Kiganira Patience Tino Josephine Namayanja Ronald Kassuja Annet Martha Nankya John Bosco Nizeyi

Statistiques

Consultations : 1

Téléchargements : 0