Community knowledge, attitudes and practices on bovine tuberculosis and associated risk factors in Gambella regional state Lare Woreda, south west Ethiopia

Abstract

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is known to be transmitted from infected animals to humans through close contact and ingestion of raw animal products. This study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitude and practice within community regarding BTB and associated risk factors in Lare Woreda, South West Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted between November, 2014 and June, 2015 at selected kebeles’ of Lare Woreda. A structured questionnaire was designed, pretested and self-administered by the consented study participants in the area. A total of 384 respondents (37.8% males and 62.2% females) participated having at least one cattle in their homes, mainly kept for the purposes of milk and meat production, and ritual activities. About 43.0% of the participants have the habit of drinking raw milk, yet none of them eat raw meat. Only 31.0% of the participants heard about BTB (locally called ‘Keil’), and 26.1% was familiar with the etiology of disease. From those who heard about the disease, 25.2% had a misconception about the causative agent as being genetically transferred from their parents, while 48.7% of the respondents did not know the causative agent. About 44.5% of participants remarked that tuberculosis could be transmitted from the cattle to human. Of all participants, 19.3 % witnessed TB among their family members. Veterinarians and human health care service organizations should improve their focus on community with more attention to the awareness creation programs through various activities to raise knowledge about BTB.