Zoonotic disease knowledge attitude and practices among rural hunting communities in Gabon
Abstract
Introduction: Zoonotic diseases represent a major public health concern in Central Africa, where forest-dependent communities experience frequent contact with wildlife through hunting activities, bushmeat handling, consumption, and trade. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to zoonotic diseases among communities engaged in hunting practices, bushmeat consumption, and wildlife trade in Mulundu Department. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted from April 2023 to April 2024 among 326 participants from five communities. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, awareness of zoonoses, perceived transmission routes, clinical signs, attitudes, and preventive practices were collected through structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Knowledge was assessed using 13 items and categorized into poor or good knowledge level. Associations between knowledge level and participant characteristics were examined using Pearson's chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results: Overall, 72.7% of respondents had previously heard of zoonotic diseases, with Ebola being the most frequently identified. Most participants had poor knowledge overall (69.3%), while 30.7% had good knowledge. Knowledge level varied significantly by regroupement (p = 0.037), and age (p = 0.023). Attitudes toward prevention were generally positive, up to 31.0% of participants remained uncertain about how to respond appropriately in high-risk situations.Discussion These findings highlight important geographic and behavioral gaps in zoonotic disease preparedness and support the need for sustained, culturally adapted, community-based One Health interventions in rural communities in Gabon.
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BibTeX
@article{dibakou2026zoonotic,
title = {{Zoonotic disease knowledge attitude and practices among rural hunting communities in Gabon}},
author = {Serge Ely Dibakou and Natacha Efoua Tomo and Ivan Cyr Moussadji Kinga and Désiré Otsaghe Ekore and Patrice Makouloutou Nzassi and Berthe-Nadine N'Dilimabaka and Roland Fabrice Kassa Kassa and Anicet Mouity Matoumba and Linaa Yasmine Okomo Nguema and Hélène Sisraëlla Lembanaka and Jenny Mathouet and Aude Pouliquen and Gilles Aurélien Boupana Mapeyi and Thierry-Audrey Tsoumbou and Barthélémy Ngoubangoye and Hadrien Vanthomme and Alexis Delabouglise and Gael Darren Maganga},
journal = {Frontiers in Veterinary Science},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.3389/fvets.2026.1857652},
url = {https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-05788338v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Zoonotic disease knowledge attitude and practices among rural hunting communities in Gabon
AU - Serge Ely Dibakou
AU - Natacha Efoua Tomo
AU - Ivan Cyr Moussadji Kinga
AU - Désiré Otsaghe Ekore
AU - Patrice Makouloutou Nzassi
AU - Berthe-Nadine N'Dilimabaka
AU - Roland Fabrice Kassa Kassa
AU - Anicet Mouity Matoumba
AU - Linaa Yasmine Okomo Nguema
AU - Hélène Sisraëlla Lembanaka
AU - Jenny Mathouet
AU - Aude Pouliquen
AU - Gilles Aurélien Boupana Mapeyi
AU - Thierry-Audrey Tsoumbou
AU - Barthélémy Ngoubangoye
AU - Hadrien Vanthomme
AU - Alexis Delabouglise
AU - Gael Darren Maganga
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/03
JO - Frontiers in Veterinary Science
DO - 10.3389/fvets.2026.1857652
UR - https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-05788338v1
AB - Introduction: Zoonotic diseases represent a major public health concern in Central Africa, where forest-dependent communities experience frequent contact with wildlife through hunting activities, bushmeat handling, consumption, and trade. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to zoonotic diseases among communities engaged in hunting practices, bushmeat consumption, and wildlife trade in Mulundu Department. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted from April 2023 to April 2024 among 326 participants from five communities. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, awareness of zoonoses, perceived transmission routes, clinical signs, attitudes, and preventive practices were collected through structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Knowledge was assessed using 13 items and categorized into poor or good knowledge level. Associations between knowledge level and participant characteristics were examined using Pearson's chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results: Overall, 72.7% of respondents had previously heard of zoonotic diseases, with Ebola being the most frequently identified. Most participants had poor knowledge overall (69.3%), while 30.7% had good knowledge. Knowledge level varied significantly by regroupement (p = 0.037), and age (p = 0.023). Attitudes toward prevention were generally positive, up to 31.0% of participants remained uncertain about how to respond appropriately in high-risk situations.Discussion These findings highlight important geographic and behavioral gaps in zoonotic disease preparedness and support the need for sustained, culturally adapted, community-based One Health interventions in rural communities in Gabon.
SN - 2297-1769
ER -