Analysis of KAP and Associated factors Regarding Zoonotic Disease in Western Hararghe, Ethiopia: A One Health Perspective
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Zoonoses are an infections naturally transmitted between human and animals during preparing and handling food of animal origin and consuming raw or undercooked meat or milk. The community of the study area daily in contact with livestock and their products that expose them to zoonotic pathogens. Knowing the status of the awareness and practice of respondents and identifying the associated risk, helps to establish well planned controlling and prevention techniques. However, very limited study have conducted on the analysis of the KAP and related risk factors of zoonoses among the community of the study area. Therefore, the objectives of this study is to analyze the knowledge, awareness, prevention practices of zoonoses and associated risk factors in selected districts of western Hararghe, Ethiopia. Method The survey data was collected from October 20223 to September 2024 using a closed-ended questionnaire and interview from randomly selected 349 respondents of three districts of western Hararghe, Ethiopia (Chiro (194), Gemechi (49), Tulo (105) to assess the knowledge, awareness, and prevention practice regarding to zoonoses. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage and charts were used to report the results, and chi-square were used to determine the correlation of demographic factors with knowledge, awareness, and practice of the community and statically significant at a p-value of 0.05. Result The study revealed that 84.5% of respondents had told that they knew the disease which can be transmitted from animals to human, but no one knew by local terms. Approximately, 62.7%, 49.6%, and 48.0% informants mentioned radio, television and veterinary officials as the sources of information, with radio being the major source of information for rural residents (63.5%), while the major mentioned source of information for urban resident was TV (58.5%). The majority (79.7%) of participants knew that the transmission of zoonotic diseases from animals to humans, and 96.6% of respondents recognized zoonoses as a preventable disease. Higher percentages of informants from Gemechis district told that they perform zoonoses risk practices such as sharing house with animals (97.9%), consumption of raw meat (100%) and milk (73.5%). Regarding the correlation of sociodemographic factors with zoonoses knowledge, higher knowledge were reported by male respondents (60.9%), respondents with a larger family size i.e. 6 and above (62.1%), and respondents with 1–8 education (65.1%), urban residents (65.2%), and students (63.6%). Further, across study districts higher percentages of respondents from Tulo districts (68.6%) stated that they knew zoonoses. Significant association was found for family size, residence, education, occupation, and study districts (p = 0.05) Conclusion The study indicated although promising knowledge and awareness was observed, but the higher prevalence rate of zoonoses risk factors indicate there is a need to provide continuous health education and create awareness about the sources of zoonoses, routes of transmission, and prevention practices. Further the study recommend the implication of one health across zoonotic linked sectors.
Source: Research Square
Institution: Oda Bultum University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7204759561