Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to brucellosis and factors affecting knowledge sharing on animal diseases: a cross-sectional survey in the dry zone of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Farmers' lack of knowledge is assumed to have affected the presence of brucellosis in Sri Lanka for decades. This study, carried out in the Ampara district in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, revealed that there is a significant knowledge gap for brucellosis compared to foot and mouth disease (FMD) (p < 0.001). Only 8.3% of farmers knew that brucellosis causes cattle abortions. Only 2.6% knew that it is zoonotic. The difference in knowledge of the symptoms and transmission of brucellosis and FMD was significant (p < 0.001). Farmers' attitudes and practices related to the spread of the disease were poor. Farmers' education and spoken language had a negative influence on knowledge. Young people and those with strong social relationships were efficient in knowledge sharing. It can be concluded that brucellosis knowledge, attitudes, and practices are poor; thus, there is a need for more attention in disease control policymaking. Backward farmer groups should be the focus in animal health extension programs.

Knowledge and perception of pastoral community members about brucellosis as a cause of abortion in animals and its zoonotic importance in Amibara district, Afar Region, Ethiopia

“…On the other hand, similar to previous reports from Ethiopia [ 13 , 14 ], Sri Lanka [ 27 ] and Nigeria [ 33 ]most of the study participants had no a clear information regarding the zoonotic importance and mode of transmission of the disease (as only 24 individuals mentioned that frequently consuming raw milk could cause hahayita), while they practice risk factors like touching aborted fetus, uterine discharge or retained placenta or aborted animals without protection and also consume raw milk from animals which have experienced abortion. This finding contrasts with the findings of studies from Uganda [ 18 ], Jordan [ 36 ] and Kenya [ 32 ] in which the majority of the respondents suggested consumption of unpasteurized dairy products as the main routes of infection in humans.…”

“…Some of the study participants also raised the possibility that foot and mouth disease is another disease which causes abortion in their cattle. The pastoral community members’ concern about foot and mouth disease as a cause of abortion in their cattle is similar to the findings of a study by Kothalawala et al [ 27 ] in Sri Lanka where farmers identified this disease as a cause of abortion in their cattle, but they had no adequate information regarding brucellosis as a cause of abortion in animals. Evidence also shows that foot and mouth disease causes abortion in cattle [ 28 , 29 ].…”

“…The result is also in agreement with the findings of a study from Tajikistan in which the majority (85%) of the participants had never heard of brucellosis [ 35 ]. A study by Kothalawala et al [ 27 ] in Sri Lanka also demonstrated that only 2.6% of the study participants knew the zoonotic importance of brucellosis.…”

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of osteoarticular brucellosis

“…In this current study, although not statistically significant, the higher prevalence of OAB in high-risk regions correlates with previous findings reporting a high incidence of brucellosis in Middle Eastern countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia [75,78,79]. Moreover, prevalence variation in different parts of the world may be due to varying environmental and socioeconomic factors such as sanitation, availability of medical facilities for optimum treatment and care, brucellosis awareness in communities, diagnostic capabilities for prompt detection of the disease condition, amongst others [80–83]. Another important factor is under-diagnosis or misdiagnosis of brucellosis because the disease manifests as flu-like symptoms and may bear resemblance to other diseases with similar symptoms such as malaria, or dengue fever, which are common disease conditions in many parts of Africa, thus leading to delays in detection and appropriate treatment of the disease [81,82].…”

Brucellosis awareness and knowledge in communities worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 79 observational studies

“…Many factors are thought to be related to the level of awareness and knowledge of brucellosis. Several studies in the meta-analysis have indicated that education is positively associated with awareness and knowledge levels [28, 29, 39, 62, 80, 81, 92, 93, 95, 96]. It has been shown that previous experience with brucellosis in livestock and brucellosis prevalence levels are positively correlated with awareness and knowledge levels of brucellosis [107].…”