Rabies, one of the oldest and deadliest diseases known to human, is incurable and neglected viral zoonosis which has been threatening the human life for many years despite being entirely preventable. Community awareness play significant role in preventing this fatal disease. Therefore, this cross sectional study was conducted from November to December 2016 with the objective to assess the community knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding rabies in Munesa district, Arsi zone, south eastern Ethiopia. A multistage sampling technique was employed for selection of sample unit and data were collected from 150 household by face-to-face interview using a semi structured pretested questionnaire. Logistic regression was used for assessing the association of independent variable with KAP score. Out of 150 participants interviewed 59.3% of them were males and 40.7% were females. The respondents from urban, peri-urban and rural residence comprise about 32.7%, 30% and 37.3% of total participants, respectively. Almost all (99.3%) participants had heard about rabies and 88.7% of them knew its zoonotic significance which is a good Knowledge. However, knowledge gap was observed regarding the cause, transmission, incubation period and prevention methods. The overall KAP result revealed that 57.3% and 42.3% of participants had a good and poor KAP score, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that good KAP score was significantly higher in male than female (OR= 3.14, CI=1.01 -9.79, P = 0.048), in those who experienced dog bite than those who were not bitten by dog (OR=7.37, CI=1.83-29.61, P=0.005), in dog owners than non-dog owners (OR=7.53, CI=2.01-28.19, p=0.003) and in trained participants than untrained (OR= 18.62, CI=1.56-222.47, p= 0.021). Furthermore, education level (p=0.021) and residence (p=0.031) participants were also significantly associated with a higher good KAP score. This study showed that community in munesa district has good general information about rabies. However, there is a need for further awareness creation which requires the collaborative effort of government authority, medical and veterinary professionals.

Background: Ingestion of indigestible foreign bodies by ruminants is becoming a common worldwide problem which is the associated with a shortage of feed as well as increased pollution of grazing lands with indigestible materials.

Equines are essential in the farming and transport systems of many areas of developing countries including Ethiopia. However, their socioeconomic importance is often under recognized and they suffer from poor husbandry practices which threaten their welfare and health. Wound is main problem emanated from such practice that results in deviation of their health and welfare. Cross-sectional study was conducted from November, 2016 to January, 2017 with the objective to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of wound in randomly selected equine in and around Assella town. Physical examination and semi-structured questionnaire were simultaneously employed to collect necessary information and possible risk factors. Out of 400 equines (278 horses and 122 donkeys) examined 250 were found to have wound on one or more of their body parts and the overall would prevalence was 62.5% of which 65.8% was in horses and 54.9% was observed in donkeys. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the prevalence of wound was significantly higher in horse (65.8%) than donkeys (54.9%) (OR=3.509; 95% CI=1.505, 8.184, p= 0.004), the prevalence was higher in adult (66.6%) than in young equine (43.8%) (OR= 2.782, CI= 1.244, 6.225, p=0.013), in males (69.4%) than in females (42.1%) (OR= 4.192, CI=2.122, 8.281, p= 0.000), in poor body conditioned equines (97.0%) than in good body conditioned equines14.6% (OR=454.614, CI=124.291, 1662.829). Moreover, the prevalence of wound in relation to harnessing type was 69.3, 62.8 and 52% in grass, plastic and traditionally prepared leather, respectively. However, this variation was not statically significant (p= 0.111).There was significant variation in causes of wound between horse and donkeys and the wound caused by improper harness was highest (X 2 =39. 357, P-=0.000) in both horses (35.55%) and donkeys (25%). Similarly, the owners response to the management of wound in horses and donkeys was significantly (X 2 =15.308, p=0.032) different and the majority of donkeys (71.6%) and horses (65.5%) did not receive any help from their owners. This study revealed a high prevalence of equines wound in and around Asella town which indicate the prevailing situation of equine welfare and health problems. This strongly calls for a continuous awareness creation to equine owners on proper management and handling and improve their welfare and health thereby enhance the utilization and improve the livelihood of the community.