Cultural contexts of swine-related infections in Polynesia

• Published in: Clinical microbiology and infection Vol. 19; no. 7; pp. 595 - 599
• Main Authors: Guerrier, G., Foster, H., Metge, O., Chouvin, C., Tui, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-07-2013; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Brucellosis; Brucellosis - prevention & control; Brucellosis - transmission; Brucellosis - veterinary; cultural contexts; Disease Transmission, Infectious - prevention & control; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Hogs; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Polynesia; Polynesia - epidemiology; public health; Swine; Swine Diseases - prevention & control; Swine Diseases - transmission; Zoonoses - epidemiology; Zoonoses - prevention & control; Zoonoses - transmission; Polynesia; swine; Brucellosis; cultural contexts; Polynesia; public health
• ISSN: 1198-743X; 1469-0691
• DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12088

Pig-raising is an inherent element of ancestral Polynesian culture, but pigs constitute a reservoir of potentially severe diseases for humans. Little research in this area from a social science perspective has been performed, particularly in Oceania. The objective of this study was to assess swine brucellosis awareness and protection measures in two remote Polynesian French islands. We applied quantitative methods to a small clinic-based population selected according to the presence of a history of brucellosis serology, and semistructured interviews about public health measures and veterinary access were used among key informants for qualitative methods. Most individuals interviewed did not know about brucellosis, despite repeated public awareness campaigns. Standard hygiene recommendations to protect humans and animals were not compatible with traditional practice. Innovative approaches are required for effective awareness campaigns, and to gain the confidence and close cooperation of the community, in order to implement successful control measures for communicable diseases such as brucellosis.