{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T09:02:37Z","timestamp":1788944557880,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":32,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,14]],"date-time":"2024-03-14T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1710374400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,14]],"date-time":"2024-03-14T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1710374400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["BMC Infect Dis"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title><jats:sec>\n                <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                <jats:p>Bats are a reservoir for many viruses causing haemorrhagic fevers. Proximity to bats is a risk factor for virus spillover to animals and humans. We conducted this study to assess knowledge, perceptions, and exposure to bats in communities living near bat roosts in Bundibugyo District, Uganda.<\/jats:p>\n              <\/jats:sec><jats:sec>\n                <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                <jats:p>A cross-sectional study using mixed methods with both quantitative and qualitative data was conducted between September and December 2022. Participants for the quantitative data (survey) (<jats:italic>n<\/jats:italic>\u2009=\u2009384) resided near bat caves and\/or roost sites and were selected using multistage random sampling. The survey investigated participants\u2019 prior exposure to bats, as well as knowledge and perceptions of bat exposure. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with bat exposure. Participants for the qualitative data (focus group discussions) (<jats:italic>n<\/jats:italic>\u2009=\u200910, 6\u20138 participants each) were purposely selected based on engagement in guano mining, hunting, and farming activities. Perceived risk associated with bat-related activities were identified and ranked in the focus group discussions using participatory epidemiology tools.<\/jats:p>\n              <\/jats:sec><jats:sec>\n                <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                <jats:p>In total, (214\/384, 55.7%) had a history of bat exposure and (208\/384, 54.2%) had poor knowledge of risk factors associated with bat exposure. Increased exposure to bats was associated with being male (OR\u2009=\u20091.6; 95% CI: 1.0, 2.4 <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>-value\u2009=\u20090.038), staying in urban areas (OR\u2009=\u20091.9; <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>-value\u2009=\u20090.010), hunting (OR\u2009=\u200910.9; <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>-value\u2009=\u20090.024), and positive perception to bat guano being safe as fertiliser (OR\u2009=\u20092.5; <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>-value\u2009=\u20090.045). During the proportional piling process, a total of 7 risk factors were identified by 10 groups with hunting during an outbreak and consumption of bats being the most frequently identified. Overall, there was a strong statistical agreement in the ranking across the 10 focus groups (W\u2009=\u20090.52; <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\u2009&lt;\u20090.01; <jats:italic>n<\/jats:italic>\u2009=\u200910). Based on the provided data, the adjusted odds ratio of 0.7 for the good measures (<jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>-value\u2009=\u20090.112), suggests a potential protective effect on the risk of bat exposure.<\/jats:p>\n              <\/jats:sec><jats:sec>\n                <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                <jats:p>Communities living around bat roosts frequently come into contact with bats, yet there is inadequate awareness regarding the behaviors that can lead to the transmission of bat- borne diseases to humans. It is essential to undertake educational initiatives and preventive measures to minimise the risks of bat-related infections. The need for targeted health communication and education efforts to address these knowledge gaps and promote an accurate understanding of bats and disease transmission. Understanding of diseases associated with bats will minimize bat-related health risks especially in communities engaged in wildlife hunting.<\/jats:p>\n              <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1186\/s12879-024-09162-x","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,14]],"date-time":"2024-03-14T10:02:43Z","timestamp":1710410563000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":23,"title":["Knowledge, perceptions, and exposure to bats in communities living around bat roosts in Bundibugyo district, Uganda: implications for viral haemorrhagic fever prevention and control"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"24","author":[{"given":"Lesley Rose","family":"Ninsiima","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Luke","family":"Nyakarahuka","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Steven","family":"Kisaka","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Collins GK.","family":"Atuheire","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lawrence","family":"Mugisha","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Terence","family":"Odoch","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Javier S\u00e1nchez","family":"Romano","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"J\u00f6rn","family":"Klein","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Siobhan M.","family":"Mor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Clovice","family":"Kankya","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,14]]},"reference":[{"issue":"3","key":"9162_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"288","DOI":"10.1111\/zph.12563","volume":"66","author":"H Baudel","year":"2019","unstructured":"Baudel H, De Nys H, Mpoudi Ngole E, Peeters M, Desclaux A. Understanding Ebola virus and other zoonotic transmission risks through human\u2013bat contacts: Exploratory study on knowledge, attitudes and practices in Southern Cameroon. Zoonoses Public Health. 2019;66(3):288\u201395. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/zph.12563.","journal-title":"Zoonoses Public Health"},{"key":"9162_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Cecilia M. Perceptions and attitudes of the local people towards bats in the surroundings of the big colony of Tadarida brasiliensis, in the Escaba dam.\u00a0Ethnobiol Conserv J. 2020;9:1\u201314.\u00a0https:\/\/doi.org\/10.15451\/ec2020.","DOI":"10.15451\/ec2020"},{"key":"9162_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Maurice M. E., Flaubert O. A., Mbinde E. Q., Mbah C. N., \u201cAn Assessment of the Conservation Attitude towards Bats in Bamenda City , Northwest Region , Cameroon,\u201d 2019: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.22161\/ijfaf.1.3.2.","DOI":"10.22161\/ijfaf.1.3.2"},{"issue":"10","key":"9162_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3390\/ani10101814","volume":"10","author":"MM Hassan","year":"2020","unstructured":"Hassan MM, et al. Understanding the community perceptions and knowledge of bats and transmission of nipah virus in bangladesh. Animals. 2020;10(10):1\u201317. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani10101814.","journal-title":"Animals"},{"issue":"13","key":"9162_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"347","DOI":"10.21472\/bjbs.061303","volume":"6","author":"ND Santos","year":"2019","unstructured":"Santos ND, Paz ES, Carneiro ID, Franke CR. Evaluation of bat-related knowledge, perceptions, and practices in an urban community\u202f: a strategy for Conservation Biology and health promotion. Braz J Biol Sci. 2019;6(13):347\u201358.","journal-title":"Braz J Biol Sci"},{"issue":"8","key":"9162_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"461","DOI":"10.1038\/s41579-020-0394-z","volume":"18","author":"M Letko","year":"2020","unstructured":"Letko M, Seifert SN, Olival KJ, Plowright RK, Munster VJ. Bat-borne virus diversity, spillover and emergence. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2020;18(8):461\u201371. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41579-020-0394-z.","journal-title":"Nat Rev Microbiol"},{"issue":"3","key":"9162_CR7","first-page":"709","volume":"36","author":"M Rani","year":"2019","unstructured":"Rani M. Knowledge, attitude and health seeking practice on bats-borne diseases among residents of Tioman Island. Trop Biomed. 2019;36(3):709\u201317.","journal-title":"Trop Biomed"},{"key":"9162_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.29392\/joghr.3.e2019037","volume":"3","author":"F Ohemeng","year":"2019","unstructured":"Ohemeng F, Lawson ET, Ayivor JS, Ntiamoa-Baidu Y. Changing attitudes and behaviour towards bats by communities that live close to bat roosts after the 2013 Ebola viral disease outbreak in West Africa. J Glob Heal Rep. 2019;3:1\u20137. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.29392\/joghr.3.e2019037.","journal-title":"J Glob Heal Rep"},{"issue":"4","key":"9162_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"284","DOI":"10.1089\/vbz.2013.1414","volume":"14","author":"MK Young","year":"2014","unstructured":"Young MK, El Saadi D, McCall BJ. Preventing Australian Bat Lyssavirus\u202f: community knowledge and risk perception. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2014;14(4):284\u201390. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1089\/vbz.2013.1414.","journal-title":"Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis"},{"key":"9162_CR10","unstructured":"E. U. Commission, \u201cOpinion of the scientific committee on veterinary measures relating to public healthon food-borne zoonoses,\u201d 2000."},{"key":"9162_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Schneeberger K, Voigt CC.\u00a0Zoonotic Viruses and Conservation of Bats\u201d,\u00a0\u00a0https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/978-3-319-25220-9.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-25220-9"},{"issue":"1","key":"9162_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/s12879-021-06011-z","volume":"21","author":"FS Wirsiy","year":"2021","unstructured":"Wirsiy FS, Boock AU, Akoachere JFTK. Assessing the determinants of Ebola virus disease transmission in Baka Community of the Tropical Rainforest of Cameroon. BMC Infect Dis. 2021;21(1):1\u201311. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12879-021-06011-z.","journal-title":"BMC Infect Dis"},{"issue":"2","key":"9162_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"247","DOI":"10.1080\/08927936.2018.1434065","volume":"31","author":"S Musila","year":"2018","unstructured":"Musila S, Prokop P, Gichuki N. Knowledge and perceptions of, and attitudes to, bats by people Living around Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Malindi-Kenya. Anthrozoos. 2018;31(2):247\u201362. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/08927936.2018.1434065.","journal-title":"Anthrozoos"},{"issue":"1","key":"9162_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"43","DOI":"10.1186\/s13002-022-00541-9","volume":"18","author":"S Ali","year":"2022","unstructured":"Ali S, Javid A, Imran M, Khan TM, Phelps K, Olival KJ. Knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes by residents in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan in connection with bats. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2022;18(1):43.","journal-title":"J Ethnobiol Ethnomed"},{"issue":"12","key":"9162_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0010988","volume":"16","author":"H Jamil","year":"2022","unstructured":"Jamil H, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever among general people: a cross-sectional study in Pakistan. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2022;16(12):1\u201316. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pntd.0010988.","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"issue":"24","key":"9162_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3390\/su142416924","volume":"14","author":"I Ejotre","year":"2022","unstructured":"Ejotre I, Reeder DAM, Matuschewski K, Kityo R, Schaer J. Negative perception of bats, exacerbated by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, may hinder bat conservation in Northern Uganda. Sustain. 2022;14(24):1\u201318. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/su142416924.","journal-title":"Sustain"},{"issue":"12","key":"9162_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1969","DOI":"10.3201\/eid1612.100627","volume":"16","author":"A MacNeil","year":"2010","unstructured":"MacNeil A, et al. Proportion of deaths and clinical features in Bundibugyo Ebola virus infection, Uganda. Emerg Infect Dis. 2010;16(12):1969\u201372. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3201\/eid1612.100627.","journal-title":"Emerg Infect Dis"},{"issue":"10367","key":"9162_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1925","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(22)02321-2","volume":"400","author":"F Okamoto","year":"2022","unstructured":"Okamoto F, Nishikawa Y, Twalla Y, Nakayama T, Masai S. Ebola outbreak in Uganda: patient values and preferences. Lancet. 2022;400(10367):1925\u20136. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0140-6736(22)02321-2.","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"issue":"5","key":"9162_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3390\/microorganisms8050750","volume":"8","author":"AJ Bennett","year":"2020","unstructured":"Bennett AJ, Paskey AC, Kuhn JH, Bishop-Lilly KA, Goldberg TL. Diversity, transmission, and cophylogeny of ledanteviruses (Rhabdoviridae: Ledantevirus) and nycteribiid bat flies parasitizing angolan soft-furred fruit bats in bundibugyo district, Uganda. Microorganisms. 2020;8(5):1\u201314. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/microorganisms8050750.","journal-title":"Microorganisms"},{"key":"9162_CR20","unstructured":"Carr J. A.,Outhwaite W.E., Goodman G. L., Oldfield T.E.E., Foden W. B., Vital but vulnerable: Climate change vulnerability and human use of wildlife in Africa\u2019s Albertine Rift, no. Occasional Paper of the IUCN Species Survival Commission No. 48. IUCN. 2013. [Online]. Available: http:\/\/www.iucn.org\/dbtw-wpd\/edocs\/SSC-OP-048.pdf"},{"key":"9162_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"53","DOI":"10.5116\/ijme.4dfb.8dfd","volume":"2","author":"M Tavakol","year":"2011","unstructured":"Tavakol M, Dennick R. Making sense of Cronbach\u2019s alpha. Int J Med Educ. 2011;2:53\u20135. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5116\/ijme.4dfb.8dfd.","journal-title":"Int J Med Educ"},{"issue":"6","key":"9162_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"517","DOI":"10.1080\/10106049.2012.725775","volume":"28","author":"A Gearhart","year":"2013","unstructured":"Gearhart A, Booth DT, Sedivec K, Schauer C. Use of Kendall\u2019s coefficient of concordance to assess agreement among observers of very high resolution imagery. Geocarto Int. 2013;28(6):517\u201326. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/10106049.2012.725775.","journal-title":"Geocarto Int"},{"key":"9162_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"955","DOI":"10.1186\/s13104-014-0955-1","volume":"8","author":"D Moran","year":"2015","unstructured":"Moran D, et al. Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding rabies and exposure to bats in two rural communities in Guatemala. BMC Res Notes. 2015;8:955.","journal-title":"BMC Res Notes"},{"key":"9162_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2021.635874","volume":"12","author":"P Lundberg","year":"2021","unstructured":"Lundberg P, Ojala A, Suominen KM, Lilley T, Vainio A. Disease avoidance model explains the acceptance of cohabitation with bats during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychol. 2021;12:1\u20139. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2021.635874.","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"issue":"1","key":"9162_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.2461\/wbp.2016.12.2","volume":"12","author":"KC Tanalgo","year":"2016","unstructured":"Tanalgo KC, Teves RD, Salva\u00f1a FR, Baleva RE, Tabora JA. Human-Bat Interactions in Caves of South Central Mindanao,\u00a0Philippines. Wildlife Biol Pract. 2016;12(1):1\u20134. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2461\/wbp.2016.12.2.","journal-title":"Wildlife Biol Pract"},{"issue":"7","key":"9162_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1399","DOI":"10.3201\/eid2607.191016","volume":"26","author":"CB Festival","year":"2020","unstructured":"Festival CB, et al. Bat and lyssavirus exposure among humans in area that. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020;26(7):1399\u2013408.","journal-title":"Emerg Infect Dis"},{"issue":"1","key":"9162_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"139","DOI":"10.1007\/s10393-020-01468-x","volume":"17","author":"N Nahar","year":"2020","unstructured":"Nahar N, et al. Hunting bats for human consumption in Bangladesh. EcoHealth. 2020;17(1):139\u201351. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10393-020-01468-x.","journal-title":"EcoHealth"},{"issue":"1","key":"9162_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/s12879-018-3006-z","volume":"18","author":"H Harapan","year":"2018","unstructured":"Harapan H, et al. Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding dengue virus infection among inhabitants of Aceh, Indonesia: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis. 2018;18(1):1\u201316. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12879-018-3006-z.","journal-title":"BMC Infect Dis"},{"issue":"6","key":"9162_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1054","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0001054","volume":"5","author":"K Robertson","year":"2011","unstructured":"Robertson K, et al. Rabies-related knowledge and practices among persons at risk of bat exposures in thailand. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2011;5(6):e1054.","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"issue":"1","key":"9162_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/s42522-023-00078-1","volume":"5","author":"T Ahmed","year":"2023","unstructured":"Ahmed T, et al. A cross-sectional survey on fruit bat-human interaction in Pakistan; one health perspective. One Heal Outlook. 2023;5(1):1\u201310. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s42522-023-00078-1.","journal-title":"One Heal Outlook"},{"key":"9162_CR31","unstructured":"Wildlife Health Australia, \u201cQualitative Risk Assessment - COVID-19 & Australian bats,\u201d\u00a0 2020;1-14."},{"key":"9162_CR32","unstructured":"Opesen C, Kyaterekera D, \u201cVulnerable and Marginalized Groups Framework ( Vmgf ) for the Uganda Digital Acceleration Program [ Udap ],\u201d no. March, 2021."}],"container-title":["BMC Infectious Diseases"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12879-024-09162-x.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s12879-024-09162-x\/fulltext.html","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12879-024-09162-x.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,14]],"date-time":"2024-03-14T10:03:10Z","timestamp":1710410590000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12879-024-09162-x"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,14]]},"references-count":32,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,12]]}},"alternative-id":["9162"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12879-024-09162-x","relation":{},"ISSN":["1471-2334"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1471-2334","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,14]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2 October 2023","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"21 February 2024","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"14 March 2024","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"Ethical approval was sought from Makerere University School of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity Research and Ethics Committee. Scientific and ethical clearance to conduct this study was obtained from the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST). The study was reviewed by the research ethics committee and found to be scientifically and ethically satisfactorily, and it was approved with a reference number of MAKSHSREC-2023\u2013573. In addition, permission and clearance was obtained to conduct the study from Bundibugyo district authorities and Uganda Wildlife Authority. Participants gave written informed consent using a consent form that was signed during data collection. Confidentiality was maintained as only the identifier numbers were used for the participants and anonymity of data.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"Not applicable.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"311"}}