Evaluation of leptospirosis knowledge attitude and practice among dog handlers

R. Ismail, . and Khor K. H., . and S. Khairani Bejo, . and Goh S. H., . and Lau S. F., . and R. Radzi, . Evaluation of leptospirosis knowledge attitude and practice among dog handlers. pp. 17-27. ISSN 0128-2506

Dogs could be reservoirs and carriers of Leptospira spp. hence may play a potential role in disease transmission exposing dog handlers to leptospirosis. This study evaluated the dog handlers knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) towards leptospirosis. Four working dog and four dog shelter organisations were approached. A total of 138 dog handlers were conveniently recruited and evaluated on their level of knowledge attitude and practice towards leptospirosis using a validated structured questionnaire. Most of the dog handlers were male aged between 30 and 40 years with a wide range of working experience of 1 - 10 years and all of them have no formal training about leptospirosis. The majority of the dog handlers from the dog shelters had poor knowledge (90 n34/38) and attitude (100 n38/38) and moderate practice (53 n20/38) towards leptospirosis whereas the working dog handlers had poor knowledge (58 n58/100) and attitude (75 n75/100) but a good level of practice (77 n77/100). The poor attitude towards leptospirosis in both groups is alarming as it may hinder implementation plans of control and preventive measures. Although there was good hand-washing practices among the dog handlers there was a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) practice that may therefore expose both the dogs and dog handlers to leptospirosis. Information gained from this study could be used to implement intervention programmes and to suggest prevention measures to limit the risk of leptospirosis among the dog handlers.

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Abstract

Dogs could be reservoirs and carriers of Leptospira spp. hence may play a potential role in disease transmission exposing dog handlers to leptospirosis. This study evaluated the dog handlers knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) towards leptospirosis. Four working dog and four dog shelter organisations were approached. A total of 138 dog handlers were conveniently recruited and evaluated on their level of knowledge attitude and practice towards leptospirosis using a validated structured questionnaire. Most of the dog handlers were male aged between 30 and 40 years with a wide range of working experience of 1 - 10 years and all of them have no formal training about leptospirosis. The majority of the dog handlers from the dog shelters had poor knowledge (90 n34/38) and attitude (100 n38/38) and moderate practice (53 n20/38) towards leptospirosis whereas the working dog handlers had poor knowledge (58 n58/100) and attitude (75 n75/100) but a good level of practice (77 n77/100). The poor attitude towards leptospirosis in both groups is alarming as it may hinder implementation plans of control and preventive measures. Although there was good hand-washing practices among the dog handlers there was a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) practice that may therefore expose both the dogs and dog handlers to leptospirosis. Information gained from this study could be used to implement intervention programmes and to suggest prevention measures to limit the risk of leptospirosis among the dog handlers.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Indigenous knowledge
AGROVOC Term:	Local knowledge
AGROVOC Term:	Attitudes
AGROVOC Term:	Leptospirosis
AGROVOC Term:	Dogs
AGROVOC Term:	Working animals
AGROVOC Term:	Evaluation
AGROVOC Term:	Questionnaires
AGROVOC Term:	Workers
AGROVOC Term:	Handling
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:54
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/8317

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