Q fever awareness in Australia: A scoping review

Abstract

Q fever awareness in Australia: A scoping review George Hamad,1 Geetha Ranmuthugala1,2, * 1 Department of Rural Health, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Australia 2 School of Rural Medicine, University of New England, Australia Submitted: 10 January 2023; Revision requested: 8 September 2023; Accepted: 4 October 2023 Abstract Objective: To investigate the level of Q fever awareness in Australia. Methods: A scoping review was conducted by searching the electronic databases Medline, PubMed and Web of Science using keywords for Q fever, awareness, knowledge, and Australian locations. The search was initially limited to articles published in the 10 years prior to June 2022 and then extended up to and including August 2023; yielding 387 records. Results: Fifteen articles were assessed as being eligible. These articles reported on surveys and interviews conducted with farmers, veterinary practitioners and nurses, medical practitioners, policy makers, researchers, industry representatives, animal science students, cat breeders, wildlife rehabilitators, and agriculture show attendees. Farmers were the largest group represented. Level of Q fever awareness amongst these communities, including those at high-risk, was generally low. The need for increased awareness was recognised. General practitioner awareness levels were low and recognised to be so by high-risk groups. Awareness of preventive measures including vaccination was greater among those with greater awareness and risk. Conclusion: With the availability of a highly effective vaccine in Australia, there is a need to increase Q fever knowledge and awareness among high-risk groups and primary health care practitioners. Implications for public health: Strategies to increase awareness and knowledge of Q fever risks and prevention strategies may assist with reducing Q fever burden in Australia. Key words: Q fever, Coxiella burnetii, awareness, knowledge, Australia