COMMUNITY AWARENESS LEVEL ON ZOONOTIC POTENTIALITY OF CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY IN CAUVERY DELTA REGION OF TAMIL NADU

C. Nandhinidevi; S. Balakrishnan; A. Sangeetha; M. Saravanan; R. Durairajan

doi:10.56093/ijvasr.v55i3.179283

Authors

C. Nandhinidevi M.V.Sc. Student, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu - 614 625. Thanjavur
S. Balakrishnan Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Orathanadu - 614 625. Thanjavur
A. Sangeetha Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Orathanadu - 614 625. Thanjavur
M. Saravanan Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Theni
R. Durairajan Assitant Professor, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Orathanadu - 614 625. Thanjavur

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijvasr.v55i3.179283

Keywords:

Canine leptospirosis, zoonotic awareness, community knowledge, Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a globally important zoonotic disease with dogs serving as major reservoirs. Ascertaining the community awareness is essential for early diagnosis, prevention and control of disease transmission. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the community knowledge on zoonotic potentiality of canine leptospirosis in Cauvery delta region (Thanjavur district) of Tamil Nadu, India using a structured questionnaire for collection of information regarding socio-demographic details and level of knowledge on transmission, symptoms and prevention of leptospirosis. Data were gathered from 141 participants, including pet owners, farm animal owners, and the general public, using different parameters. Educational status and age were highly significantly associated (p˂0.001) with awareness on leptospirosis, with younger respondents and those with higher education showing higher awareness on leptospirosis. Nearly half of the participants (46.1%) were unaware of transmission routes, and only 37.8 per cent participants recognized the leptospirosis as zoonotic disease. Awareness of clinical symptoms was limited (51.1%), with fever being the most recognized symptom (32.6%). Preventive measures such as avoiding contact with contaminated water sources (14.2%), hand hygiene (19.9%) and rodent control (17.0%) were poorly understood. Veterinary hospitals were the preferred treatment option (85.1%) than traditional methods and owner-directed medication. These findings highlighted the substantial gaps in awareness, underscoring the need for education, outreach and preventive practices to reduce canine-mediated leptospiral transmission and improve public health.

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