Why community-based one health education programme should be a key component to control brucellosis in India

Abstract

Background: Brucellosis is a neglected zoonotic disease that continues to impose a significant burden on public and animal health, particularly in developing countries like India. Lack of awareness among livestock owners and the absence of proper management practices contribute to its persistence and transmission. A critical gap exists in the understanding of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to brucellosis among animal handlers and farmer, who are in serious risk of disease transmission. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and practices related to brucellosis among livestock owners in Tamil Nadu and to identify critical gaps requiring One Health-based educational interventions. Methods: A community - based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 409 livestock-owning households across ten districts of Tamil Nadu, India, during 2023-2024 using multistage random sampling. Data were collected through a structured and pre-tested interview schedule. Knowledge scores were categorized as 'Low' or 'High'. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to analyze associations between Knowledge & practices and socio-demographic variables (age, gender, education, livestock ownership) using SPSS software. Results: Of the respondents, 65.3% were male, 34.7% female, and 50.5% were below 35 years. Educationally, 41.07% had primary, 44.99% had secondary, and 34.96% had tertiary education. Respondents with tertiary education showed significantly better knowledge about brucellosis (p<0.05), while no differences were noted across gender or age categories. Risky practices included improper disposal of aborted materials (57%), non-disinfection of sheds (100%), use of bare hands (57%), and absence of animal screening prior to purchase (100%). Conclusions: The study reveals a profound knowledge gap and the pervasive use of high-risk practices among livestock owners in Tamil Nadu. These findings emphasize the need for a community-based One Health educational framework to enhance knowledge, improve animal husbandry practices, and minimize the zoonotic risk of brucellosis transmission.