A comparative study on perception of knowledge, clinical signs, and vectors of Zoonotic diseases with special reference to the Gwalior Chambal region

Zoonosis are infections naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans. An exploratory questionnaire-based survey was carried out in twenty-seven villages (n = ۲۷) among the population living close to  their livestock in the Gwalior-Chambal region of North Madhya Pradesh to assess local knowledge, attitudes and public awareness on animal Zoonosis . Both closed and open-ended questions and focus group discussions techniques were employed to gather information on perceptions concerning the type of Zoonotic  diseases prevalent in the study area, indigenous name of the diseases, animal or vector related Zoonotic  diseases, clinical signs associated with the diseases in humans, clinical signs associated with the Zoonosis  in animals and mode of transmission. The results demonstrated that Rabies, Malaria, and Dengue were considered the three most common Zoonotic diseases identified by the respondents through focus group discussion along with their carriers/vectors. Death was the common symptom of Rabies recognized by the respondents (۵۵%), chill (۶۸.۲%) for Malaria and (۷۵%) for engue. Co-residence with livestock consumption of un-treated livestock products (i.e. milk, meat or eggs) and attending to parturition were perceived as routes of transmission. These results suggest that in the Gwalior-Chambal region, rare awareness and knowledge of Zoonosis, along with food consumption habits and poor animal husbandry are the main cause for the local population an increased risk of contracting Zoonosis. A significant difference at P ≤ ۰.۰۵ has been observed in the value identified as Zoonoses by respondents through focus group discussions.  Public health promotion on education and inter-disciplinary one-health collaboration between vets, public health practitioners and policy makers should result in a more efficient and effective joint approach to the diagnosis and control of Zoonosis  in  Gwalior-Chambal region.

Keywords:

knowledge , perception , Transmission , Zoonosis , Gwalior , India