Q Fever awareness and risk profiles among agricultural show attendees

Abstract

<p><b>Objective:</b> To assess awareness and risk of Q fever among agricultural show attendees.</p><p><b>Setting:</b> University of New England's Farm of the Future Pavilion, 2019, Sydney Royal Agricultural Show.</b><p><b>Participants:</b> Participants were ≥18 years, fluent in English, Australian residents, and gave their informed consent.</p><p><b>Main Outcome Measures:</b> Participants reported whether they had ever heard of Q fever and then completed the ‘Q Tool’ (www.qfevertool.com), which was used to assess participants' demographics and risk profiles. Cross-tabulations and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between these factors.</p><p><b>Results:</b> A total of 344 participants were recruited who, in general, lived in major NSW cities and were aged 40–59 years. 62% were aware of Q fever. Living in regional/remote areas and regular contact with livestock, farms, abattoirs and/or feedlots increased the likelihood of Q fever awareness. Direct or indirect contact with feral animals was not associated with Q fever awareness after controlling for the latter risk factors. 40% of participants had a high, 21% a medium, and 30% a low risk of exposure. Slightly less than 10% reported a likely existing immunity or vaccination against Q fever. Among those who were not immune, living in a regional or remote area and Q fever awareness were independently associated with increased likelihood of exposure.</p><p><b>Conclusions:</b> Awareness of Q fever was relatively high. Although 61% of participants had a moderate to high risk of exposure to Q fever, they had not been vaccinated. This highlights the need to explore barriers to vaccination including accessibility of providers and associated cost.</p>