Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Livestock Diseases Among Residents of East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The prevention and management of livestock diseases require a holistic approach. Among these, the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of livestock owners play a central role. KAP surveys provide valuable insights into how individuals perceive livestock health challenges, what preventive measures they implement and how they respond to disease outbreaks. This study, therefore, aims to assess the KAP related to livestock diseases and their determinants among the residents of East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, to provide evidence‐based insights for policymakers, extension workers and other stakeholders working to improve animal health in the region. A cross‐sectional study design was employed based on a questionnaire survey of 412 participants from five selected districts of the East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region. A multistage cluster sampling procedure was used to select participants. Quantitative score was generated for KAP, and the scores were dichotomized as adequate and inadequate knowledge, desirable and undesirable attitude and good and poor practice. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were used to see the association of predictor variables towards adequate knowledge, desirable attitude and good practice. About 57%, 69% and 49% of the respondents have adequate knowledge, desirable attitude and good practice scores, respectively. About 96% of participants explained that feed and free grazing land was the livestock production constraint followed by disease (92%). Majority of the participants (83%) agree that livestock is an important economic and zoonotic disease that can threaten the lives of humans and animals. Only 32% and 21% of respondents used personal protective equipment during the sick animal approach and disposed of their dead animal through burial and burning. Illiterate level participants were less likely to have adequate knowledge than college and above level (AOR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.06–0.87), and in the same way, respondents of illiterate individuals were less likely to have good practice than college and above level participants (AOR = 0.04, CI = 0.009–0.19). The study showed that participants have good knowledge and attitude towards livestock disease but poor disease prevention and control practices. The community public health education should focus on translation of these good knowledge and favourable attitude into practices that effectively reduces livestock disease burden of the community.