ArticleJournal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine2025
Regional dynamics of zoonotic risk perception and wildlife use in Ghana.
Article in Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Fecal virome at the human-animal interface: a one health perspective on an uncharted frontier.Animal microbiome · 2026Review
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Abstract
backgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic and other recent zoonotic outbreaks have renewed global scrutiny of the bushmeat trade, particularly in West Africa. This study examines regional differences in bushmeat consumption, hunting practices, and perceptions of zoonotic disease risk in Ghana, using a mixed-methods approach combining a household survey (n = 335) and key informant interviews with hunters (n = 53).
methodsRespondents were drawn from northern and southern Ghana to reflect ecological and cultural diversity. Socio-demographic characteristics, bushmeat consumption patterns, and knowledge of zoonotic diseases were analyzed. Hunters were interviewed to explore occupational activities and risk mitigation behaviors.
resultsBushmeat consumption declined after the COVID-19 outbreak, more so in southern Ghana (from 62% to 33%) than in the north (from 81% to 61%). Awareness of zoonotic disease transmission was high (~ 70%) and primarily acquired through mass media, yet this had limited impact on behavior. Hunting activity declined during the pandemic, but hunters attributed this not to health concerns, but to wildlife scarcity and reduced commercial demand. Use of personal protective equipment was absent, with hunters citing discomfort, cultural beliefs, and spiritual protection as justifications. Risk perceptions varied regionally: northern respondents emphasized improper cooking as the main transmission pathway, while southerners pointed to handling of live animals. Religious beliefs significantly shaped attitudes toward disease vulnerability, with 80% of southern respondents and 58% in the north attributing protection from disease to divine intervention.
conclusionBushmeat-related behaviors in Ghana are influenced more by cultural norms, economic necessity, and ecological conditions than by knowledge of zoonotic disease risks. Public health messaging alone is insufficient. Effective interventions must be culturally responsive, integrate conservation with health surveillance, and align with local worldviews. A multidimensional "One Health" approach is essential for sustainable behavior change and zoonotic disease prevention.
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