ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE OF DAIRY FARMERS REGARDING ZOONOTIC DISEASES IN INDORE DISTRICT

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the knowledge level of dairy farmers regarding zoonotic diseases in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh. Data were collected through face to face structured schedule by randomly selected 150 dairy farmers from two tehsil of Indore district i.e Mhow and Rau. Knowledge index was calculated to find out the level of knowledge of dairy farmers regarding zoonotic diseases. Results revealed that only 23.33 per cent of dairy farmers were aware about possibility of diseases transmit either animal to human being and human being to animal. About half (49.33%) of respondents knew that disposal of carcasses in an open area can spread diseases in the surrounding environment. It was also observed that rabies were identified as zoonotic disease by majority of dairy farmers (98.67 %) followed by dermatitis/ scabies (59.33%), brucellosis (18.00%). As far as knowledge of dairy farmers about route of transmission it was observed that majority of the respondent knew about disease transmission through bite of arthropods/ insect bite (71.33%) followed by inhalation route (22.67 %). Majority of dairy farmers (54.67%) knew that tuberculosis can transmit from human to human only. However, 36.67 per cent farmers had knowledge that consumption of raw milk poses risk of tuberculosis in human being. Knowledge index (KI %) of dairy farmers regarding rabies was 64.33 per cent, brucellosis 12.04 per cent and regarding tuberculosis was 38.97 percent. Majority of the dairy farmers (58.00%) had low level of knowledge about zoonotic diseases It is a major concern and extension agency should organize more awareness programme regarding zoonotic disease in this area to update the knowledge of dairy farmers.