Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) relating to brucellosis in smallholder dairy farmers in two provinces in Pakistan

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the extent of knowledge and understanding of brucellosis in smallholder dairy farmers and identify practices at the farm and household level that might pose a risk for humans contracting brucellosis. Between February and June 2015 a cross-sectional study was conducted among smallholder farms (n = 420) in five districts of Punjab and two districts of Sindh province. Farmers were interviewed using a questionnaire to obtain information on farmers’ knowledge about brucellosis and the potential risks for contracting the disease that are present for dairy farmers and their families. Logistic regression and ordinal logistic models were used to investigate potential predictors for risky behaviours. The results show almost all farmers (97%) were not aware of the modes of transmission of brucellosis. Relating to risk, the majority (66%) of the farmers’ families were reported to consume raw milk and its products, live in shared housing with animals (49%) and not cover hand cuts during contact with animals (74%). All farmers performed at least one risky practice on a regular basis for brucellosis transmission from animal to human. A multivariable analysis highlighted that the respondents with no formal education and those who had not heard of the disease displayed greater risky behaviour. Poor understanding of the disease, presence of multiple risky practices on farm and at the household, and incorrect perception supports the need for an educational awareness program in order to ensure uptake of improved practices.

Brucellosis knowledge and preventive practices among herders in Western Mongolia

“…In our results, around half of herders reported that they bury aborted fetuses and birth materials. This practice was highly prevalent (94%) among Tajikistan's dairy farmers (Lindahl et al, 2015), but not in Pakistan (Arif et al, 2017), Egypt (Hegazy et al, 2016) or…”

“…In our results, around half of herders reported that they bury aborted fetuses and birth materials. This practice was highly prevalent (94%) among Tajikistan's dairy farmers (Lindahl et al, ), but not in Pakistan (Arif et al, ), Egypt (Hegazy et al, ) or Jordan (Musallam et al, ). In our study, herders with a higher level of knowledge were more likely to correctly dispose of aborted fetuses and birth materials compared to those with a lower level of knowledge.…”

“…Preventive measures mainly focus on minimizing such contact through behavioural changes, such as livestock vaccination, pasteurization of milk and elimination of infected animals (Roth et al, ). Only a handful of studies, conducted in Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt, showed that knowledge of brucellosis was related to preventive behaviours (Arif et al, ; Hegazy, Elmonir, Abdel‐Hamid, & Elbauomy, ; Musallam, Abo‐Shehada, & Guitian, ). The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and practices related to brucellosis prevention among herders in Western Mongolia, and to assess associations between knowledge and preventive behaviours.…”

Bovine brucellosis in Pakistan; an analysis of engagement with risk factors in smallholder farmer settings

“…Sampling strategies including districts, villages and farms have been described in detail by Arif et al . (). In short, two villages per district and 60 herds per village were sampled.…”

“…a farm cleaning risk score and a brucellosis herd transmission risk score, as described in a previous study on the same farmers (Arif et al . ). Briefly, the farm cleaning risk score (scored from 0 to 4) was the total number of risky practices practised by the farmer of the following four herd management practices: (1) not cleaning up dung; (2) not cleaning the feeding trough; (3) storage of dung piles for more than 6 months and, (4) not washing udder before milking.…”