Zoonotic Disease: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Dairy Farm Owner in Wolaita Sodo District, Ethiopia

Background: Lack of knowledge regarding zoonotic transmission, prevention and control measures is a potential high risk for the occurrence of zoonotic diseases.

Objective: The study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of dairy farm participants concerning zoonoses.

Animals: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to August 2022 in and around Sodo town, using a questionnaire among dairy farm participants (n = 123). The structured questionnaire consisted of 48 items to evaluate knowledge (12), attitude (10) and practices (6) related to zoonotic disease-risks from livestock products and birth products was administered to the systematically and randomly selected respondents. Linear regression analyses were used to assess relations between the explanatory variables and the three indexes.

Results: The overall positive response for knowledge, attitude and practice subscores were 65%, 74% and 59% respectively. 93% of participants know that disease can transmit from animal to human. Besides, eating uncooked meat (92%), drinking raw milk (85%) and collecting aborted foetuses and placenta with bare hand (80%) are known sources of infection. Participants who thought zoonotic diseases can be treated, controlled and prevented were 78%, 80% and 81%, respectively. Among participants, 74% showed positive attitude towards risk of acquiring disease through the consumption of raw meat and milk. The participants who believed that apparently healthy animals can be a source of infection were 42%. Education level was positively associated with better knowledge, attitude and practice towards zoonoses. Furthermore, farm type, size and respondent's residence were also associated with better practice of zoonotic disease prevention (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Despite good knowledge, attitude and practice about zoonotic diseases' control and prevention, there are some serious knowledge and practice shortcomings. Awareness creation and training programs for the members of the dairy producers on zoonotic diseases and their transmission mechanism might help the effort in public health significance of zoonotic disease prevention.