Assessment of the Community's Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Towards Common Zoonotic Diseases And Their Prevention And Control Measures In Kellem Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia

<h1><strong>Abstract</strong></h1>\n<p>A cross-sectional study using a structured and semi-structured questionnaire was conducted from July 15 to September 30, 2022, in Kellem Wollega Zone, with the main goal of determining the community's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding common zoonotic diseases (Anthrax, Brucellosis, and Rabies) and their prevention and control measures. A total of 392 (267 male and 125 female) respondents were interviewed face to face that includes 50 (12.8%) degree and above, 66 (16.8%) diplomas, 99 (25.3%) grade 1-8, 48 (12.2%) learning or completed high school and 129 (32.9%) uneducated respondents. With respect to occupation, 46 (11.7%) animal health and human health professionals, 66 (16.8%) other experts, 56 (14.3%) students, 34 (3.6%) merchants, and 190 (48.5%) farmers were contacted for interviews. The community's Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the study area regarding zoonotic diseases were 221 (56.4%), 317 (80.8%), and 219 (55.8%), respectively. From the total of 263 educated respondents, 178(67.7%) have good knowledge, good perceptions, and practices regarding common zoonotic diseases, while only 85 (32.3%) of them have no information about zoonotic diseases. But, of the total 129 uneducated respondents, only 51(39.5%) have general knowledge, good perceptions, and practices on these diseases, and 78(60.5%) of them heard nothing about zoonotic diseases. In general, out of 392 respondents, 186 (47.5%) have general information on all common zoonotic diseases in the study area (Anthrax, Brucellosis, and Rabies). More respondents have awareness of Rabies 213 (54.3%), followed by Anthrax 201 (51.3%) and Brucellosis 90 (22.9%) as indicated in <strong>Table 2 and Figure 3</strong>.<strong> </strong>Statistically, sex, educational level, and type of occupation have a significant impact (P<0.05) on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the community on zoonotic diseases <strong>(Table 3)</strong>. This indicates that females, uneducated respondents, and those respondents with non-related occupations to the health profession were found to have less awareness of zoonotic diseases. It may be due to a lack of training or education, the presence of a knowledge gap from person to person, and differences in circumstances of awareness creation from place to place on zoonotic diseases. Therefore, designing a strategic and continuous health education is mandatory and all concerned professionals need to be committed to creating awareness for the community on zoonotic diseases.</p>\n<p><strong>Key words: </strong>Zoonoses, KAPs, Kellem Wollega, Community, questionnaires, respondents.</p>