Risk factors for human brucellosis in northern Jordan

Abstract

Little is known about the risk factors of human brucellosis in Jordan. A case-control study was conducted involving 56 Jordanians who had been treated for brucellosis and at least 3 matched controls for each case [‎n = 247]‎. Matching was for sex, age, locality [‎the same village]‎ and socioeconomic standard. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. In all, 17 risk factors were examined related to: contact with various livestock/ milk and milk product consumption, drinking-water treatment and disease awareness. Most variables were associated with brucellosis in the univariate analysis but the final logistic model included only 4: milking sheep and goats [‎OR 3.5]‎, consumption of raw feta cheese made from sheep and goat milk [‎OR 2.8]‎ and consumption of cows' milk [‎OR 0.4]‎ and boiled feta cheese [‎OR 0.4]‎. Small ruminant farmers need to be trained in safer milking practices and feta cheese making procedures