A recent study has highlighted significant knowledge gaps among livestock farmers concerning zoonotic diseases, pointing to the urgent need for targeted education and training programs to reduce public health risks.
Farming serves as the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, engaging approximately 25% of the population directly and 50% indirectly. Yet, this dependence on livestock makes many farmers vulnerable to zoonoses, which are diseases transmitted from animals to humans. Given the alarming rise of zoonotic outbreaks, including COVID-19 and avian influenza, researchers conducted this insightful study to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of farmers across various regions of Bangladesh.
Surveying 658 livestock farmers from April to June 2024, the study revealed stark findings: only about 11.55% of participants demonstrated good knowledge of zoonotic diseases, and about 37.54% exhibited good practices, underlining the pressing need for enhanced education and intervention.
The study found almost 89% of the participants were male, predominantly aged between 30 to 45 years, and most had non-science educational backgrounds, with 81.31% lacking substantial formal training or education pertinent to animal health. Surprisingly, 52% of the surveyed individuals were unaware of the risks posed by consuming raw milk or meat, signaling potential pathways for disease transmission.
"Despite showing positive attitudes toward the dangers of zoonotic diseases, many farmers lack the necessary knowledge to translate these attitudes effectively to safe practices," observed the research team. The data indicated favorable attitudes, with 94% recognizing the risks of zoonosis, yet 71% reported never using gloves or masks when working with animals, showing discrepancies between awareness and action.
Farmers with science education exhibited higher knowledge levels. For example, only 13.01% of those with scientific backgrounds demonstrated good knowledge, contrasting starkly with 11.21% from non-science backgrounds. This disparity correlates with logistic regression analyses, which found significant associations between educational attainment, biosecurity practices, and overall KAP scores.
Logistic regression pointed to several factors influencing the KAP among farmers. For example, those involved in intensive rearing systems held lower knowledge about zoonotic threats than those raising livestock extensively. Similarly, individuals with over 10 years of farming experience fared significantly worse when it came to recognizing threats posed by zoonotic diseases compared to their less experienced counterparts.
Training on biosecurity measures proved pivotal, significantly eleving participants' knowledge and practical skills to combat zoonoses. Among those who received biosecurity training, 66.85% showcased good practices, compared to just 26.67% of untrained individuals, which emphasizes the importance of educational initiatives.
Given the appealing interest of the farmers toward learning practices to bolster their knowledge, it is more than evident why deploying structured educational programs is urgent. The research recommends frameworks to facilitate effective measures to curtail zoonotic disease transmission, advocating the One Health approach—a collaborative model linking human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
Upscaling awareness about zoonotic risks among small-holder livestock farmers through media campaigns and community engagement initiatives could significantly help bridge these knowledge gaps. The research community urges health professionals, veterinarians, and educators to join forces to mitigate zoonotic disease threats through strategic outreach and educational interventions.
Overall, the study clarifies the precarious position of farmers as potential hotspots for zoonoses, reinforcing the need for focused efforts to fortify their knowledge and practices. Enhanced training programs could play a decisive role, ensuring safe agricultural practices and boosting public health across Bangladesh.