SERO-PREVALENCE OF BOVINE BRUCELLOSIS, ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS, AND KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF CATTLE OWNERS TOWARDS THE DISEASE IN KARAT ZURIA DISTRICT, KONSO ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease that leads to significant economic losses and has a major effect on public health. A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2023 up to October 2024 to determine the sero-prevalence of bovine brucellosis and its public health significance in four peasant associations (PAs) of Karat zuria district of Konso Zone, southern Ethiopia. A total of 362 blood samples were collected for serological study. The collected serum was screened by the Rose-Bengal-Plate Test (RBPT) and confirmed by complement fixation test (CFT). Out of 362 bovine sera tested using the RBPT, 18 samples (4.97%; CI: 2.7% – 7.2%) were initially positive. Confirmation with the CFT revealed that 11 samples (3.03%; CI: 1.2% – 4.7%) showed Brucella antibodies. Therefore, the overall prevalence of bovine brucellosis was determined to be 3.03%. Among assessed risk factors, only peasant associations (P=0.02), herd size (p=0.03) and the history of retained fetal membrane (P=0.009) had statistically significant associations. The results of the questionnaire survey revealed that the majority (153/172; 89%) of respondents were unaware of bovine brucellosis, and its risk factors. 95.3% (164/172) have the habit of consuming raw milk and 99.4% (171/172) of respondents were assisting parturition without gloves which put them at high risk of acquiring the infection. Regarding the attitude of cattle owners, 45.9% (79/172) of respondents perceive themselves to be at high risk of contracting brucellosis. But all respondents (100%) expressed a desire for more information about the disease which reflects a general need for better education. The current study detected antibodies for bovine brucellosis in the study area. Moreover, the questionnaire revealed that the attitude score is positive towards bovine brucellosis, but the knowledge is poor, causing many respondents to engage in risky practices, which might increase the risk of pathogen transmission. Hence, avoiding raw milk consumption, preventing animal interaction, awareness creation, should be implemented to reduce risk of infection in cattle and consequently, in humans in the study area.