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Assessing the use of bats as materials in zootherapeutic practices in Western Uganda

Dissertation (MSc (Wildlife Management))--University of Pretoria,2022.

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Other Authors: Keith, Mark
Format: Thesis
Published: University of Pretoria 2023
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Keith, Mark
author_browse Keith, Mark
author_facet Keith, Mark
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2022 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Dissertation (MSc (Wildlife Management))--University of Pretoria,2022.
format Thesis
id oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/89830
institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:39:18.847Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2023
publishDateRange 2023
publishDateSort 2023
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
record_format dspace
source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/89830 Assessing the use of bats as materials in zootherapeutic practices in Western Uganda Keith, Mark kayizaismail01@gmail.com Sente, Celsus Kayiza, Isma Bat-related zoonoses Traditional healing practices Zootherapy Cultural practices Wildlife bats Uganda UCTD Dissertation (MSc (Wildlife Management))--University of Pretoria,2022. Traditional healing is widely practiced among many indigenous tribes in Africa and worldwide. Over 85% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa consider traditional healing as an alternative form of treatment to the conventional western health care system. However, some tribes use animals associated with zoonoses, such as bats, as materials in their zootherapeutic practices, yet much remains unknown. This study assessed the use of bats as materials in traditional zootherapeutic practices among the Bakiga and Banyankole tribes in Mitooma District, Western Uganda. The study provides information vital to the mitigation of zoonotic risks involved in using bats in zootherapeutic practices. The study involved a mixed research methodology comprising quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data were collected from 115 individuals using a systematic random sampling technique. One-on-one interviews were conducted using semi-structured questionnaires. Qualitative data were collected in audio format from 10 key informants using in-depth interviews. The most identified traditional use of bats (77.4%) in Mitooma District was the formulation of therapeutic concoctions used in female genital modification (FGM). A high percentage of respondents, 40/115 (38.8%), participated in FGM using concoctions extracted from bats. Sex was the primary determinant of people’s participation in bat-related zootherapeutic practices. Age, academic qualification, and knowledge or awareness of potential zoonotic risks did not affect people’s participation in bat-related FGM practices. The study determined that the method of capturing bats and preparing concoctions puts participants at great risk of being exposed to zoonotic pathogens associated with bats. Therefore, the government should conduct community sensitization programs through the ministry of health and the district health officers about the health risks associated with using wild animals in zootherapeutic practices. The MasterCard Foundation Scholarship Program at the University of Pretoria Zoology and Entomology MSc (Wildlife Management) Unrestricted 2023-02-27T07:53:46Z 2023-02-27T07:53:46Z 2023-05-17 2022 Dissertation * A2023 https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/89830 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8408-4616 © 2022 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle Bat-related zoonoses
Traditional healing practices
Zootherapy
Cultural practices
Wildlife
bats
Uganda
UCTD
Assessing the use of bats as materials in zootherapeutic practices in Western Uganda
title Assessing the use of bats as materials in zootherapeutic practices in Western Uganda
title_full Assessing the use of bats as materials in zootherapeutic practices in Western Uganda
title_fullStr Assessing the use of bats as materials in zootherapeutic practices in Western Uganda
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the use of bats as materials in zootherapeutic practices in Western Uganda
title_short Assessing the use of bats as materials in zootherapeutic practices in Western Uganda
title_sort assessing the use of bats as materials in zootherapeutic practices in western uganda
topic Bat-related zoonoses
Traditional healing practices
Zootherapy
Cultural practices
Wildlife
bats
Uganda
UCTD
url https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/89830
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8408-4616