Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding ticks and tick borne diseases among horse keepers in Malaysia

Abstract Background Ticks and tick borne diseases (TBDs) pose significant health risks to horses, impacting their well-being and productivity. In Malaysia, particularly on the East Coast, there lack of studies regarding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of horse keepers toward these issues. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate the spread of TBDs. This study aimed to assess the KAP of horse keepers in Kelantan and Terengganu states regarding ticks and TBDs. Methods . A cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire among horse owners and stable workers from August to November 2022. Horsekeepers were approached through snowballing sampling techniques. A total of 101 responses were collected and analyzed using SPSS for univariate statistical analysis. Results The majority of horse keepers were males (69.3%) and fell under the age group 18–35 years (45.5%). Most respondents had moderate to good knowledge about ticks and TBDs, with 68% aware of ticks as potential vectors. Attitudes towards tick prevention were generally poor, with an overall attitude score of 52.14%. However, practices related to tick prevention and control were moderately effective, with 66.7% of respondents scoring above 60%. Significant predictors of knowledge included the number of horses owned ( p = 0.040) and the respondent’s relationship to the horse ( P < 0.001). There was a moderate positive correlation between knowledge and attitude ( r = 0.30, p = 0.021) and a strong positive correlation between knowledge and practice ( r = 0.70, p < 0.001). The correlation between attitude and practice was weak and not statistically significant ( r = 0.10, p = 0.106). Conclusions This study shows that the horse keepers in Kelantan and Terengganu exhibit moderate knowledge and practice levels regarding tick prevention and control, and their attitudes towards these measures need improvement. Enhanced educational programs and awareness campaigns are recommended to improve attitudes and ensure more effective tick control practices among horse keepers.