Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Livestock (KAP) Farmers Regarding Zoonotic Diseases in Muridke, District Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional KAP Study

Abstract

In Pakistan, zoonotic diseases are a pressing public health and livestock economy problem, as there is constant, close interaction between humans and animals by smallholder farmers, providing a continuous transmission interface. No KAP (Knowledge, Attitude and Practices) study has ever been conducted with the livestock farmers of Muridke Tehsil, District Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices of livestock farmers of Muridke Tehsil and to determine the socio-demographic farm variables associated with positive attitude. Methods: 34 farmers were selected randomly from 10 villages of Muridke tehsil, and a cross-sectional survey was conducted. The socio-demographic profile was included along with 20 knowledge, 10 attitude, and 13 practice items in a structured, pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire. All farmers (n = 340) were approached, and complete data were obtained from 270 (79.4% response rate). Each Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice score was converted into a percentage of the highest possible score and was divided into Good (80–<89%), Moderate (60–79%), and Poor (<60%). Chi-square, t-tests/ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multivariable logistic regression were used to calculate the associations. Results: Mean (Maximum) Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice scores were 74.9%, 75.6%, and 67.2%, respectively. The practice was found to be poor, with only 12.2% of the farmers, while the attitude and knowledge were satisfactory with 48.9% and 48.1%, respectively. There was a moderate correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.562, p < 0.001), but weak correlations between both of these and practice (r = 0.164 and r = 0.212, respectively). Only 77.0% of the farmers could correctly identify raw milk as a path of transmission for brucellosis, but 94.1% believed that consuming raw milk was safe. Education independently predicted excellent knowledge (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.45, 95% CI 1.20–1.75) and positive attitude (AOR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.09–1.57); landlessness was independently associated with poorer knowledge (AOR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.13–0.83). None of the factors were found to significantly predict satisfactory practice. Conclusion: Farmers in Muridke tehsil have moderate knowledge and generally positive attitudes towards zoonosis prevention, but they do not consistently engage in protective practices, particularly regarding raw milk consumption, the use of protective materials, and the testing and reporting of animal diseases. Enhanced access to the veterinary testing and reporting system and targeted One Health education (with less emphasis placed on better-educated people and land holdings) are recommended.