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May 25, 2026Open Access

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Brucellosis Among Small Ruminant Farmers in Punjab, Pakistan: A Regional Zoonotic Risk Assessment

Key Points

To evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to brucellosis among small ruminant farmers in Punjab.
Cross-sectional study conducted from 2022-2023.
259 households were surveyed using structured interviews with a pretested questionnaire.
Composite ordinal risk scores were generated for knowledge, herd management, and hygiene practices.
76.1% of participants had high knowledge-related risk scores.
Common high-risk practices included improper disposal of aborted materials and consuming raw milk.
Lower educational attainment and age over 50 were associated with higher risk scores across all domains.

Abstract

Brucellosis, caused primarily by Brucella melitensis , remains an important yet neglected zoonotic disease in Pakistan, particularly among small ruminant farmers who represent a high-risk occupational group. This cross-sectional study was conducted during 2022–2023 to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to brucellosis among sheep and goat farmers in three agro-ecological zones of Punjab province. A total of 266 households were initially approached, of which 259 complete responses were included in the final analysis. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and KAP variables were collected through structured, face-to-face interviews using a pretested questionnaire. Composite ordinal risk scores were generated for three domains: knowledge of brucellosis, herd management and farm hygiene practices, and personal protective and hygiene practices. A high proportion of participants were classified within the highest-risk category, including 76.1% for knowledge-related risk, 70.7% for herd management and farm hygiene risk, and 52.9% for personal hygiene risk. Descriptive analysis further revealed very low awareness of brucellosis, including its transmission routes and prevention measures. High-risk practices were commonly reported, such as improper disposal of aborted materials and consumption of raw milk. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis demonstrated that lower educational attainment and older age (>50 years) were significantly associated with higher brucellosis risk scores across all three domains. These findings highlight that inadequate knowledge and persistent risky husbandry and hygiene behaviors substantially increase the vulnerability of small ruminant farmers to brucellosis in Punjab. Targeted awareness programs, strengthened veterinary extension services, and promotion of safe farming practices are essential to reduce zoonotic transmission in this high-risk population.

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