Survey study reveals that disease risk perception reduces wild animal butchering in rural communities, suggesting health education can mitigate zoonotic transmission.
Key Points
To identify factors driving wild animal hunting, butchering, and consumption, and to determine how perceptions of disease risk influence these activities in rural central African communities.
Administered structured questionnaires to participants across 17 rural villages in central Africa (N=3,971).
Assessed behavioral participation in hunting, butchering, and eating wild game alongside self-reported perceptions of infectious disease risk.
A high proportion of respondents recognized a risk of infectious disease transmission associated with bushmeat contact.
Perception of disease risk was significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of butchering wild animals, an activity with high exposure to blood and body fluids.
Disease risk perception showed no significant association with hunting or eating wild meat.