Dairy farms are complex environments where cattle, workers, and the farm environment interact, creating opportunities for infectious disease transmission across animal, human, and environmental interfaces. During the COVID-19 pandemic, little was known about dairy farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding integrated livestock biosecurity and worker biosafety. This study aimed to develop and demonstrate the application of an integrated biosecurity–biosafety KAP questionnaire and pilot test for dairy farms. A novel English and Spanish version of the questionnaire was developed using published biosecurity literature, zoonosis-related studies, expert input, and existing dairy biosecurity tools. From June 2020 to August 2021, 18 Front Range Colorado dairy farms were contacted, and 6 farms enrolled. Data were collected from 50 participants, analyzed descriptively; selected associations were examined using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals. The final questionnaire captured integrated KAP on livestock biosecurity, zoonoses, biosafety, and COVID-19. Important knowledge gaps were identified, particularly regarding human-to-animal disease transmission and zoonoses training. Supervisors generally demonstrated broader knowledge than workers and organic farms showed higher knowledge levels than conventional farms. Veterinarians were highly trusted information sources. Training was associated with improved zoonosis-related knowledge, and several animal-focused and human-focused preventive practices were significant. This study demonstrates the feasibility and value of an integrated dairy farm biosecurity–biosafety KAP tool and highlights the need for tailored, bilingual, One Health-oriented training.
Fathke et al. (Wed,) studied this question.