Knowledge and Practices Regarding Pet Ownership and Parasitic Zoonoses among Medical Students and Faculty in Kabul, Afghanistan: A Focus on Toxocariasis

Background: Toxocariasis is a common but often neglected parasitic zoonosis, transmitted mainly through contact with contaminated animals or soil. Despite its public health significance, awareness remains limited, particularly in Afghanistan. We aimed to assess the awareness and practices related to pet ownership and the risk of Toxocara infection among medical students and faculty members at two major private medical universities in Kabul. Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 347 medical students and faculty members at Ghalib University and Cheragh Medical Educational Institute in Kabul between Oct and Dec 2023. A semi-structured questionnaire assessed sociodemographic factors, behaviors related to animal contact, and knowledge of zoonotic parasites, with a focus on Toxocara. Associations between pet ownership and knowledge or practices were examined using chi-square tests. Results: Overall, 38.8% of participants reported owning pets. While 41.5% indicated high knowledge of zoonotic parasites, only 8.1% could name Toxocara specifically. Veterinary visits were common among pet owners. Pet ownership was significantly associated with sex, frequency of contact with stray animals, daily interactions with animals, knowledge of parasitic zoonoses, and awareness of the clinical spectrum (P<0.05). Hygiene practices after animal contact did not differ significantly between groups, although handwashing with water alone was most commonly reported. Knowledge regarding transmission routes, the ability to name parasites in general, zoonotic parasites, and Toxocara was similarly limited among both pet owners and non-owners. Conclusion: Substantial gaps in knowledge about parasitic zoonoses, including Toxocara, were identified. Pet ownership influenced certain behaviors but did not consistently predict higher awareness. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to strengthen understanding and promote preventive measures among future healthcare professionals.