Abstract
Farmers’ lack of knowledge is assumed to have affected the presence of brucellosis in Sri Lanka for decades. This study, carried out in the Ampara district in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, revealed that there is a significant knowledge gap for brucellosis compared to foot and mouth disease (FMD) (p < 0.001). Only 8.3% of farmers knew that brucellosis causes cattle abortions. Only 2.6% knew that it is zoonotic. The difference in knowledge of the symptoms and transmission of brucellosis and FMD was significant (p < 0.001). Farmers’ attitudes and practices related to the spread of the disease were poor. Farmers’ education and spoken language had a negative influence on knowledge. Young people and those with strong social relationships were efficient in knowledge sharing. It can be concluded that brucellosis knowledge, attitudes, and practices are poor; thus, there is a need for more attention in disease control policymaking. Backward farmer groups should be the focus in animal health extension programs.
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Acknowledgements
This work is part of the Ph.D. study program of the first author. The authors would like to acknowledge Japanese government for funding this research (KAKEN 25304035). Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in Hokkaido, Japan, is highly appreciated. Department of Animal Production and Health, Sri Lanka, is acknowledged for the assistance extended in the research.
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Kothalawala, K.A.C.H.A., Makita, K., Kothalawala, H. et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to brucellosis and factors affecting knowledge sharing on animal diseases: a cross-sectional survey in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Trop Anim Health Prod 50, 983–989 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-018-1521-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-018-1521-y