36 Background: Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis affecting human and almost all domestic 37 species. It is a multi-burdens disease leading to severe economic losses due to disability in humans in 38 addition to abortion, infertility and reduced milk production in animals. An Important element for 39 effective prevention and control of brucellosis is to improve knowledge, attitude and practices of the 40 community. 41 Objective(s): This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to 42 brucellosis at human-animal interface and to determine the risk factors for human infection in the 43 Nile Delta, Egypt.44 Methods: A matched case-control study was conducted at the main fever hospitals located in 6 45 governorates in the Nile Delta, Egypt between June 2014 and June 2016. Face-to-face interviews 46 with cases and controls was done using a structured questionnaire. Differences in proportions of 47 KAP variables among the cases and controls were evaluated by Pearson's Chi square test and a p 48 value <0.05 was set as a level of significance. A multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis 49 was built to determine the risk factors for Brucella spp. infection among study participants.50 Results: A total of 217 cases and 434 controls matched for age, gender and sociodemographic 51 characteristics were enrolled and interviewed. In total, 40.7% of the participants owned animals in 52 their households and lived in shared accommodation with animals [48.8% of cases vs 36.9% of 53 controls; (p= 0.003)]. The majority (78.1%) used to accommodate cows and buffaloes with sheep and 54 goats. Human brucellosis cases experienced more animal abortions comparing to the controls 55 [(23.5% vs 9.7%, respectively), (p= 0.0003)]. The majority of the participants (82.4%) did not notify 56 authorities in case that abortion occurs in their owned animals. Apparently, 67.4% of the 57 participants [(70.0% of the cases vs 66.1% of the controls) (p = 0.315)] had not ever heard about 58 brucellosis. The overall mean practice score regarding animal husbandry, processing and 59 consumption of milk and dairy products was significantly lower among cases comparing to controls (-60 12.7±18.1 vs 0.68±14.2 respectively; p< 0.0001). Perceived barrier for notification of animal infection 61 and/or abortion was significantly higher among cases (p= 0.034) and positively correlated with 62 participants' education. Results of univariate analysis showed that participants who have animals' 63 especially small ruminates were at a higher risk of getting Brucella spp. infection than others. In the 64 proposed multivariate conditional logistic regression model, the predictors of having brucellosis 65 infection were consumption of unpasteurized milk, having consumed dairy products in the last 3 66 months before the study, consumption of yoghurt or home-made cheeses and involvement in 67 contact with animals [OR (95% CI) = 4.12 (1.62 -10.75); 2.71 (1.06 -6.93); 2.51 (1.21 -5.24); 1.96 68 (1.17-3.30), p<0.05; and 4.97 (2....

housing system during weaning process. The results suggest that the calves remained with their dams and group-housing system can be the better as anti-psychological and social stressors than those separated from their dams or individually housed ones as management system at weaning process.

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