Socializing One Health: an innovative strategy to investigate social and behavioral risks of emerging viral threats

In an effort to strengthen global capacity to prevent, detect, and control infectious diseases in animals and people, the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT) PREDICT project funded development of regional, national, and local One Health capacities for early disease detection, rapid response, disease control, and risk reduction. From the outset, the EPT approach was inclusive of social science research methods designed to understand the contexts and behaviors of communities living and working at human-animal-environment interfaces considered high-risk for virus emergence. Using qualitative and quantitative approaches, PREDICT behavioral research aimed to identify and assess a range of socio-cultural behaviors that could be influential in zoonotic disease emergence, amplification, and transmission. This broad approach to behavioral risk characterization enabled us to identify and characterize human activities that could be linked to the transmission dynamics of new and emerging viruses. This paper provides a discussion of implementation of a social science approach within a zoonotic surveillance framework. We conducted in-depth ethnographic interviews and focus groups to better understand the individual- and community-level knowledge, attitudes, and practices that potentially put participants at risk for zoonotic disease transmission from the animals they live and work with, across 6 interface domains. When we asked highly-exposed individuals (ie. bushmeat hunters, wildlife or guano farmers) about the risk they perceived in their occupational activities, most did not perceive it to be risky, whether because it was normalized by years (or generations) of doing such an activity, or due to lack of information about potential risks. Integrating the social sciences allows investigations of the specific human activities that are hypothesized to drive disease emergence, amplification, and transmission, in order to better substantiate behavioral disease drivers, along with the social dimensions of infection and transmission dynamics. Understanding these dynamics is critical to achieving health security--the protection from threats to health-- which requires investments in both collective and individual health security. Involving behavioral sciences into zoonotic disease surveillance allowed us to push toward fuller community integration and engagement and toward dialogue and implementation of recommendations for disease prevention and improved health security

Knowledge of prostate health and food choice influence on the risk of prostate disorders among Ghanaian men

Understanding prostate health is vital for preventing, managing, and treating prostate disorders. Prostate disorder is a significant health challenge among men, and if not detected early, could lead to complications like cancer and death. Thus, knowledge of prostate health is essential for defining critical areas of intervention among men. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among 894 Ghanaian men aged 40 to 70+ to assess their knowledge of prostate health and its influence on their food choices. The study was conducted in Greater Accra, Bono, and Northern Regions of Ghana. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect data on socio-demographics, knowledge of prostate health and consumption of foods related to prostate health. Two categories of foods, relating to prostate health were considered for the study: protective foods (fruits and vegetables) and high-risk foods (alcohol, meat, and meat products). Knowledge level scores were computed from the marks scored by participants on prostate health risk factors, causes, signs, symptoms and treatment, and nutrition and prostate health. Food choices were assessed based on the frequency of protective foods and high-risk foods intake. Associations between socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge level of prostate health, and food choices were examined using bivariate analysis, and multivariate regression analysis was conducted for possible predictors. The mean age of participants was 51.44 ±7.98. More than half of the participants (62.5%, n=559) had a high knowledge of prostate health. Participants with a family history of prostate disorders were approximately two times [OR (odds ratio) =1.973, p=0.041] more likely to have a high knowledge level of prostate health than those with no family history. Similarly, those diagnosed with prostate disorders were three times (OR = 2.736, p<0.001) more likely to have a high knowledge level of prostate health than those who have never been diagnosed of any prostate disorder. Generally, participants consumed protective and high-risk foods related to prostate health. Participants with increased knowledge of prostate health were three times (OR=2.531, p<0.001) more likely to consume protective foods. Knowledge about prostate health through experience positively impacts the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Efforts in Ghana to improve prostate health should include education on protective food choices to promote prostate health

Determinants of Household Food Insecurity and Depression in Mothers: Evidence from Ghana

Background. Household food insecurity (FI) and maternal depression are serious public health problems, especially in low-income countries. The aims of this study were to determine the determinants of household FI and depression in mothers and the association between these constructs in Savelugu Municipality, Ghana. Methods. An analytical, community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data on 364 mothers of under-five children selected using the multistage method in the municipal. Household FI and maternal depression were measured using the FI Experience Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item in personal interviews. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with household FI and maternal depression and the association between these two constructs. Results. The mean age of mothers was 30.1(±6.5) years with almost all practising Islamic religion (96.2%) and were married (96.7%). The prevalence of household FI and maternal depression were 51.6% and 25.3%, respectively. The determinants of household FI were mother’s self-health rating, social support, nutrition knowledge, and household’s source of drinking water, while those of maternal depression were the mother’s work, place of residence, self-health rating, and nutrition knowledge. In multivariable adjusted logistic regression analysis, women in food insecure households were about three times more likely than women in food secure households to be depressed (adjusted odds ratio = 2.49; 95% confidence interval: 1.36–4.55; and p=0.003). Conclusion. The current study shows a high prevalence of both household FI and depression in mothers in Savelugu Municipality. Both personal and household characteristics of the women are associated with household FI and maternal depression statuses, and the two constructs are highly correlated. It is recommended to include depression assessment in interventions for FI

Genetically Different Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses in West Africa, 2015

To trace the evolution of highly pathogenic influenza A(H5N1) virus in West Africa, we sequenced genomes of 43 viruses collected during 2015 from poultry and wild birds in 5 countries. We found 2 co-circulating genetic groups within clade 2.3.2.1c. Mutations that may increase adaptation to mammals raise concern over possible risk for humans

Genetically Different Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses in West Africa, 2015

To trace the evolution of highly pathogenic influenza A(H5N1) virus in West Africa, we sequenced genomes of 43 viruses collected during 2015 from poultry and wild birds in 5 countries. We found 2 co-circulating genetic groups within clade 2.3.2.1c. Mutations that may increase adaptation to mammals raise concern over possible risk for humans.status: publishe