Knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices regarding the risk of Leptospirosis from rodents: A public health concern in District Kasur, Punjab, Pakistan

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, and it finds its main reservoirs in the Norway rat (R. norvegicus) and black rat (R. rattus). The purpose of this study was to ascertain the level of knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices of Kasur residents regarding the risk of leptospirosis from rodents. The current study was carried out in Kasur, Punjab. A total of 384 closed-ended questionnaires, each containing 34 questions, were distributed to randomly selected individuals from various backgrounds, such as students, teachers, health professionals, and housewives. In the statistical analysis, descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were performed using SPSS software. Among the respondents, more male respondents (n=199; 51.8%). The majority of respondents (n=222, 57.8%) reported that rodents are reservoirs of leptospirosis, and respondents from tehsils (p=0.016; χ²=15.597) were positively related to it. A large number of respondents (n=189; 49.2%) agreed that the presence of rodents is a big problem for humans, and respondents from tehsils were significantly correlated (p=0.032; χ²=13.820) with such people’s attitudes. Most of the respondents n=212; 55.2%) protected themselves from leptospirosis by wearing protective gears, and the relationship among people of four tehsils (p=0.018; χ²=15.266) with the frequency of using different PPE was statistically significant. The results of this study showed that respondents had good knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices related to the risk of leptospirosis from rodents. Community education is an important aspect of improving the management of rodents and their disease.