Knowledge, attitude, and husbandry practices on zoonoses prevention and control among livestock farmers in Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India: a cross-sectional study

Zoonotic diseases remain a significant public health and economic concern in low- and middle-income countries, particularly among livestock farmers. This problem is further aggravated by the widespread lack of awareness regarding the transmission, prevention, and control of zoonoses. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and husbandry practices on zoonoses prevention and control among livestock farmers in Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1 to December 1, 2024. A total of 565 livestock farmers were selected using simple random sampling techniques. Data collection was conducted using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to determine the relationship between the predictor and outcome variables. Statistical significance was set at a p < 0.05. The overall response rate was 95.6%. The mean age of livestock farmers was 45.69 ± 12.01 years, with the majority (155, 28.7%) aged 41–50 years. Among the 540 livestock farmers surveyed, 31.7% (95% 28.1, 35.7) had good knowledge, 55% (95% CI: 50.9,59.1) had positive attitudes, and 47.2% (95% CI: 43.1, 51.3) had good husbandry practices towards zoonotic diseases prevention and control, respectively. Public sector employees (AOR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.21–0.84, P = 0.014); livestock farmers who owned their land (AOR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.29–0.82, P = 0.007); and farmers using intensive farming systems (AOR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32–0.99, P = 0.044) were associated with a lower risk of zoonoses prevention and control with good husbandry practice. Meanwhile, farmers with livestock shelters less than 100 m from their homes (AOR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.06–4.37, P = 0.034) were associated with an increased risk of zoonoses prevention and control with good husbandry practices, with a p-value of less than 0.05. This study revealed that livestock farmers had low knowledge, attitudes, and husbandry practices towards preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases. Targeted education and one health interventions should prioritize high-risk farmers without land ownership, using extensive systems, or with nearby livestock shelters. Promoting intensive farming, safe housing practices, and capacity building will enhance zoonotic disease prevention and control.