Data collection tool.

<div><p>Background</p><p>Brucellosis is a neglected zoonotic disease often contracted through contact with animals and consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. Despite being the most common cause of non-malarial acute febrile illness brucellosis is often misdiagnosed in healthcare setups. The global incidence of <i>Brucella</i> infection is reported to be over 2 million cases annually. In Ethiopia, there are varying reports on the prevalence of brucellosis, and just a few researches have been undertaken on the prevalence among febrile patients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine sero-prevalence of human brucellosis and associated factors among febrile patients attending Moyale Primary Hospital in southern Ethiopia.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Cross-sectional study was conducted on 293 febrile patients attending Moyale Primary Hospital. We used convenience sampling technique. Blood specimen was collected and screened for <i>Brucella</i> antibody using Rose-Bengal plate test and ELISA was used for confirmation of <i>Brucella</i> infection. We used a questionnaire to collect socio-demographic data and to assess associated factors (<a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012715#pntd.0012715.s001" target="_blank">S1 Table</a>). Bivariate and subsequent multivariable logistic regression was performed to explore associated factors with the prevalence of human brucellosis.</p><p>Results</p><p>The sero-prevalence of human brucellosis in this study was 13% (95% CI: 9.5, 16.5). Majority of the study participants (58.7%) were rural dwellers; 54.6% were male and the age range was from 5 to 80 years (mean = 24.17, SD = ±15.9). Higher number of sero-prevalence was seen among rural residents (19.8%) and male participants (14.40%). Drinking unpasteurized camel milk (AOR = 11.62, 95% CI: 3.85, 17.13; P = 0.000) and rural residence (AOR = 7.21, 95% CI: 2.48, 15.90; P = 0.000) were significantly associated with brucellosis. Consumption of pasteurized milk was shown to have protective effect (AOR = 6.12, 95% CI: 1.26, 29.76; P = 0.025) against brucellosis.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The current study showed 13% point prevalence of human brucellosis among febrile patients attending Moyale Primary Hospital. Consuming unpasteurized milk, particularly unpasteurized camel milk, and rural residence was significantly associated with <i>Brucella</i> infection. Awareness creation about the zoonotic nature of brucellosis and the role of unpasteurized milk in the transmission of the disease is important to control human brucellosis.</p></div>