The role of social behavior to mycobacterial infection management: A case study of pastoral communities of Uganda

International Conference on HIV/AIDS, STDs, & STIs

October 24-25, 2013 Holiday Inn Orlando International Airport, Orlando, FL, USA

Clovice Kankya

Accepted Abstracts: J AIDS Clin Res

Abstract :

I n sub-Saharan African arid pastoral regions, the socio-behavioral indigenous knowledge mystical systems associated with perceptions, actions, and response by communities to mycobacterial infections in the pastoral ecosystems of Uganda remains largely unknown in Uganda and across the African continent. These drivers are important as they often magnify the problems linked to co-infection with HIV/AIDS. This study sought to determine the socio-behavioral, indigenous knowledge mystical systems and other factors associated with mycobacterial infections and their management among the pastoralist communities. A cross sectional questionnaire-based study was administered to a total of 301 pastoralists from Mubende and Nakasongolapastoral districts of Uganda. In addition, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were also conducted. Consumption of raw and half cooked animals? products, drinking untreated water, and smoking, sharing of cigarette sticks and drinking straws, coughing and spitting, and excessive alcoholism were the key socio-behavior factors perceived to expose the pastoralists to mycobacterial infections and HIV/AIDS. Stigmatization was related to chronic illness and faith-based perceptions facilitated mycobacterial infection transmission. High degree of stigmatization, discrimination (S&D) and abandonment of the patients suffering from mycobacterial/HIV co-infections among the pastoralist communities have been revealed. Socio-consumption behaviors perceived the main routes for acquisition of mycobacterial infections. Pastoralists perceived that livestock act as sources of mycobacterial infections and therefore pose a health threat to the humans living at the human-animal interface

Biography :

Clovice Kankya has completed his Ph.D. at the age of 39 years from Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway, University of Oslo and he is currently searching for postdoctoral opportunities. He is the senior Lecturer at the Department of Biosecurity, Ecosystems and Veterinary Public Health (BEP), College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. He has published more than 12 papers in reputed journals and serving as an editorial board member of OMICS group