title: Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) relating to brucellosis in smallholder dairy farmers in two provinces in Pakistan.
abstract: The present study aimed to assess the extent of knowledge and understanding of brucellosis in smallholder dairy farmers and identify practices at the farm and household level that might pose a risk for humans contracting brucellosis. Between February and June 2015 a cross-sectional study was conducted among smallholder farms (n = 420) in five districts of Punjab and two districts of Sindh province. Farmers were interviewed using a questionnaire to obtain information on farmers' knowledge about brucellosis and the potential risks for contracting the disease that are present for dairy farmers and their families. Logistic regression and ordinal logistic models were used to investigate potential predictors for risky behaviours. The results show almost all farmers (97%) were not aware of the modes of transmission of brucellosis. Relating to risk, the majority (66%) of the farmers' families were reported to consume raw milk and its products, live in shared housing with animals (49%) and not cover hand cuts during contact with animals (74%). All farmers performed at least one risky practice on a regular basis for brucellosis transmission from animal to human. A multivariable analysis highlighted that the respondents with no formal education and those who had not heard of the disease displayed greater risky behaviour. Poor understanding of the disease, presence of multiple risky practices on farm and at the household, and incorrect perception supports the need for an educational awareness program in order to ensure uptake of improved practices.
authors.affiliation: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.|Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Shumaila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arif
authors.affiliation: Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.|School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.|ASLP Dairy Project, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.affiliation: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.|Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Jover
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: McGill
authors.affiliation: ASLP Dairy Project, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Hassan Mahmood
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Warriach
authors.affiliation: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.|Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D002648:Child; D003612:Dairying; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D055815:Young Adult