Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) on Human and Bovine Tuberculosis Among Cattle Owners in Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a re-emerging disease occurring worldwide and causing multi-billion-dollar loss and human death annually. The situation is worse in developing countries like Ethiopia, where lower knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of the people is imminent. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 349 study participants were addressed through face to face interview. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-squares analysis were used to observe the data and the association between outcome (KAP) and predictor variables. Results: Out of the 349 respondents interviewed, 223 (63.9%) of them were males, while 126 (36.1%) were females. The KAP measuring interview indicated that almost all (97.4%) of the participants know human tuberculosis, while 84(24.1%) are aware of bovine tuberculosis cause and mode of transmission. Inhalation was reported as a common route of transmission for human TB (41.1%). In contrast, 50% of the respondent mentioned inhalation, contact, and ingestion of raw animal products as the main route of TB transmission from animal to human. Among those who have heard of bTB, only 56 (66.7%) of respondents consider bovine tuberculosis as a significant threat to public health. Conclusion: The study showed that there is a lower KAP on bovine TB among cattle owners. Therefore, community awareness promotion and health education on human and bovine TB should be operated under a “One Health” umbrella.