Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Assessment on Bat-Borne Zoonotic Diseases Among the People of Moyamba District, Sierra Leone

Samuel Maxwell Tom Williams,1 Rashid Ansumana,2 Jonathan Johnny,3 Ibrahim A Bakarr,3 Augustus Osborne1 1Department of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences, Njala University, Freetown, Sierra Leone; 2Department of Public Health, School of Community Health Sciences, Njala University, Freetown, Sierra Leone; 3Department of Wildlife Management and Conservation, School of Natural Resources Management, Njala University, Freetown, Sierra LeoneCorrespondence: Samuel Maxwell Tom Williams, Tel +23278462858, Email maxwell.williams@njala.edu.slBackground: Bats are considered wildlife species of public health concern, as they are known to host various pathogenic agents, and their interactions with humans are potential routes of pathogen spillover. A high level of knowledge on Bat-borne Zoonotic Diseases (BZD), their causative agents, signs, symptoms, mode and pattern of transmission, health attitudes, and practices towards the disorders are vital parameters in handling them. This study aimed to look into BZD knowledge, public attitudes, and behaviour.Methods: We surveyed the 14 chiefdoms of Moyamba district. A total of 421 participants were randomly sampled using closed-ended questionnaire. Simple linear regression analysis was used to determine the effects of gender, age, education, and livelihood opportunities on BZD knowledge (at 95% confidence interval and alpha value = 0.05). The findings were analysed and correlated with a scientific and public health perspective to assess the breadth of knowledge and awareness of BZD among the people of Moyamba district.Results: The findings from the study show a low level of knowledge on BZD among the people of the Moyamba district, with only 119 (28.3%) individuals that had some knowledge about BZD. Of those that knew about BZD, 94 (79.0%) had very little knowledge, 24 (20.2%) had a fair amount, and 1 (0.8%) had a great deal of knowledge about BZD. The primary mode of knowledge dissemination was through social media platforms.Conclusion: The level of knowledge about BZD is also very low. As a result of these findings, policymakers, health professionals, and environmental educators will be compelled to develop strategies to reduce the risk of BZD transmission in Sierra Leone’s population.Keywords: bat-borne zoonotic diseases, public health, transmission, Moyamba District, knowledge assessment, policymakers