Knowledge Regarding Leptospirosis among Farmers in a Selected Medical Officer of Health Area in Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka

The impact of leptospirosis is huge since it causes high morbidity and mortality, while it remains a neglected disease due to a lack of knowledge and gaps in using preventive measures. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding leptospirosis among paddy farmers in the Weligepola MOH area in Ratnapura district, Sri Lanka. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 344 paddy farmers from selected five Grama Niladari divisions in the Weligepola MOH area. A content-validated, interviewer-administered questionnaire to assess farmers’ knowledge and their characteristics. As revealed, almost all participants (99.1%) were ever heard about leptospirosis. Mean±SD overall knowledge of leptospirosis was 58.32±13.74, and only 52.6% of participants had good knowledge on leptospirosis while others did not. Though farmers are adequately aware of preventive methods and sources of infection, their knowledge regarding mode of transmission, reservoirs, initial symptoms, and the organs affected by leptospirosis has yet to be improved. Even though almost all the farmers had heard about Doxycycline (98.5%), only 65.9% of farmers used it. Study findings reveal some knowledge gaps. Therefore, the present study underscores the importance of implementing regular education programmes on leptospirosis among farmers in this community widely. Keywords: Leptospirosis; farmers; knowledge; Weligepola; Sri Lanka