title: A study of knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to brucellosis among small-scale dairy farmers in an urban and peri-urban area of Tajikistan.
abstract: Improvement of knowledge, attitudes and practices among urban livestock farmers could have a significant impact on the reduction of many zoonotic infections in urban farming. This study aimed to describe and evaluate weak areas in knowledge, attitudes and practices with regards to brucellosis among urban and peri-urban small-scale dairy farmers in a low income country to generate information essential for control programmes and public health interventions. The cross-sectional study was conducted during six weeks in 2011. The study subjects were small-scale dairy farmers living in the urban and peri-urban area of the capital Dushanbe in Tajikistan. In total, 441 farmers were interviewed using a questionnaire with questions about demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to brucellosis. Descriptive statistics were used and a logistic regression model applied to evaluate potential predictors to knowledge about brucellosis. The majority (85%) of the farmers had never heard of brucellosis. Low educational level was found to be associated with low awareness of brucellosis (P = < 0.001). Respondents who talked about animal health issues with family members or friends were less likely to have heard of brucellosis compared to those who often talked to veterinarians (P = 0.03). Sixty three per cent of the participants wanted more information about brucellosis. Seventeen per cent sold unpasteurized dairy products on a regular basis direct to consumers. Almost 30% of the households consumed unpasteurized dairy products on regular basis. A majority of the respondents did not use any protection when handling cows having an abortion or when dealing with aborted materials. Poor knowledge, high-risk behaviours and a willingness to learn more strengthens the logic for including health education as part of control programmes.
authors: Division of Reproduction, Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7054, SE- 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Lindahl
authors: Tajik Agrarian University, P.O. 734003 Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
authors: Nosirjon
authors: N
authors: Sattorov
authors: Division of Food safety and Bacteriology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7028, SE- 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Sofia
authors: S
authors: Boqvist
authors: Division of Reproduction, Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7054, SE- 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Ulf
authors: U
authors: Magnusson
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000382:microbiology; D000383:Agriculture / Q000193:education; D000818:Animals; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000382:microbiology; D000067565:Farmers / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats / Q000382:microbiology; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D058751:Livestock / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education; D012756:Sheep / Q000382:microbiology; D013620:Tajikistan; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000382:microbiology*