Household Practice Related to Zoonotic Diseases Transmission in Rural Community of Gondar Zuria District

PURPOSE: The study was done from October 2019 to April 2020 for the purpose of identifying practices and characterizing the general public knowledge, attitudes and associated risk factors related to animal contact that influence zoonotic disease transmission in the rural household heads of North Gondar area, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During this study, a cross-sectional type of study was designed and a simple random sampling method was used to choose kebeles. Six kebeles were randomly selected using a lottery method. Systematic random sampling method was employed to select and question 65 household heads from each of the kebeles. In total, 390 structured questionnaires were prepared for those household heads and the data were collected using face to face interviews. Finally, the recorded data were examined using STATA version 16 statistical software and the frequency distribution of both variables was observed using descriptive statistics. Linear regression model was used to see the relation between household practices and the explanatory factors. RESULTS: The results showed that there was a gender difference in responsibility for managing livestock and the central aim of rearing livestock was for sale. Among 390 members of households, 38.7% understand a probability of disease transmission in their community between livestock, humans and wildlife, regardless of the fact that household practices related to zoonosis transmission were common. Of the households, 52.3% responded that they permit animals to go into kitchen and sleeping areas (95% CI = 1.15–2.73; P = 0.009). The factors which influence the household practices were agro-ecology activities; livestock management; number of individuals in the household; types of livestock reared; and zoonosis awareness. CONCLUSION: In general, the present study showed that the public had a very low awareness about major zoonotic diseases. This indicates the need for awareness creation through education and an inter-disciplinary health approach with close collaboration among veterinarians, public health practitioners and policymakers.