Toxoplasmosis and Chlamydophilosis in Small Ruminant Farms in Cameroon: Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Perception of Zoonotic Risks of Farmers

Abstract Zoonotic abortive diseases represent a significant he al th and economic risk for national public health. This cross-section al survey was conducted from April to October 2021 among 200 selected sm al l ruminant farmers in the three northern regions of Cameroon. Data collection was done through questionnaires administered by exchange with the herder and responses were coded and recorded on an Excel spreadsheet. The data were then an al yzed with R software, version 2.13.0. An ANOVA test was used to assess significant differences in mean of Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Perception of zoonotic risks (KAPP) scores between regions. Pearson correlations were used to c al culate the association between KAPP scores within regions. Sm al l ruminant farmers surveyed had low mean scores for knowledge of abortive Toxoplasmosis and Chlamydophilosis(0.1 ± 0.2), desirable attitude (0.32 ± 0.07), appropriate practice (0.36 ± 0.13) in managing abortion, and positive perception of zoonotic risks of Toxoplasmosis and Chlamydophilosisin sm al l ruminants (0.12 ± 0.33), respectively. KAPP was significantly (p<0.01) and positively associated with knowledge (r=0.98) and risk perception (r=0.99). However, attitudes (r=0.06), practices (r=0.05) and risk perception of toxoplasmosis (r=0.07) and Chlamydophilosis (r=0.08) were not associated with farmers' knowledge. This study reve al ed significant knowledge gaps, low levels of desired attitudes, and high-risk behavior al practices. These results therefore c al l for capacity building of he al th profession al s and farmers to better integrate the One He al th concept in the management of neglected zoonotic diseases.