title: Zoonotic importance of canine scabies and dermatophytosis in relation to knowledge level of dog owners.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was undertaken to understand the zoonotic importance of canine scabies and dermatophytosis with special reference to the knowledge level of dog owners in urban areas of Gujarat.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out in randomly selected 120 dog owners of 3 urban cities (viz., Ahmedabad, Anand and Vadodara) of Gujarat state, India. Dog owners (i.e., respondents) were subjected to a detailed interview regarding the zoonotic importance of canine scabies and dermatophytosis in dogs. Ex-post-facto research design was selected because of the independent variables of the selected respondent population for the study. The crucial method used in collecting data was a field survey to generate null hypothesis (Ho1). Available data was subjected to statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The three independent variables, viz., extension contact (r=0.522**), mass-media exposure (r=0.205*) and management orientation (r=0.264**) had significant relationship with knowledge of dog owners about zoonotic diseases. Other independent variables, viz., education, experience in dog keeping and housing space were observed to have negative and non-significant relationship with knowledge of dog owners about zoonotic diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extension contact, exposure to extension mass-media, management orientation and innovation proneness among dog owners of 3 urban cities of Gujarat state had significant relationship with knowledge of dog owners on zoonotic aspects of canine scabies and dermatophytosis. Data provided new insights on the present status of zoonotic disease-awareness, which would be an aid to plan preventive measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Heli S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Raval
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.affiliation: Department of Extension Education, B.A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bhadesiya
keywords: Gujarat; canine scabies; dermatophytosis; dog owners; knowledge level; zoonotic importance