Assessment of practices, menaces, and perception of the rural population of Alva Village in Gujarat towards brucellosis: A cross-sectional study to strengthen the "One Health" approach

• Author Details:   
• Himani Bhardwaj Pandya
• Nidhi Mihirkumar Bhalodia
• Binda Prakashbhai Pipaliya
• Saurabh Chhotalal Norris ^*

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Background: In Rural communities, A close relationship between People, livestock animals, and farming activities, along with poor medical services, makes them vulnerable to zoonotic infections. The rationale behind the study was to assess the practices, Risks, and attitudes of the rural people towards zoonoses.
Materials and Methods: The community-based study was conducted for 4 months from 10th June 2024 to 15th October 2024 in Alva village, Piparia, Waghodia, Gujarat. A total of 175 residents were surveyed by a one-to-one interview in the local language using a validated structured questionnaire, focusing on demographic details, animal handling practices, consumption practices, Knowledge, and perception towards Brucellosis. Post-intervention was done by explaining the menaces of zoonotic infections through various charts, posters, and Role play.
Results:  We found that only 6.3% of the residents were aware of brucellosis, but none of them knew about the transmission of brucellosis via unpasteurized milk or meat. Out of 175 residents surveyed, 148 (84.5%) reported unvarying management of animals and out of them, only 14.9% of them used gloves during the parturition. Around 45(30.4%) participants reported economic loss in cattle such as poor milk production, while a few reported 6 (4%) abortions in cattle. Of the pasteurization techniques, unexpectedly, 110 (62.9%) residents were unaware of the importance of Pasteurization. Regarding milk consumption practices, 58 Residents were using unpasteurized milk, out of them 51(87.9%) were boiling and 7 residents (12.1%) were consuming it directly. Even, Consumption of raw milk products were reported in 37 (21.1%) residents. After the death of the animal, disposal methods were very perilous as 104/148 (70.2%) residents left the remains for scavengers.
Conclusion: Despite being in close contact with animals, residents were unaware of the hazardous effects of following unsafe practices. There was a huge lacuna in knowledge, practices, and awareness of brucellosis in them. Public health interventions, including vaccination, and safe handling practices are a need of the hour.

Keywords: Awareness, Brucellosis, Gujarat, One Health, Rural Health, Zoonotic infections