Assessment of the awareness, knowledge, and practices of smallholder farmers for brucellosis prevention at Geita periurban, Tanzania

Background: Livestock abortion can be caused by zoonotic pathogens, which can also pose a risk to humans. Conducting empirical health research is crucial in understanding and addressing these risks. These findings can assist in the creation of practical guidelines and prevention practices for public health engagement in the veterinary field. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess smallholder farmer awareness, knowledge, and practices related to brucellosis prevention at Geita peri-urban areas. Method: A cross-sectional study to assess the awareness, knowledge, and practices of smallholder farmers in preventing brucellosis in cattle was conducted from August 2023 to February 2024 in Geita peri-urban communities. Sixty (60) randomly selected farmers in four different wards and villages in Nyang’s hwale district were involved. The respondents were given semistructured questionnaires consisting of open- and closed-ended questions, which covered various aspects, such as social demographics, farm characterization, knowledge evaluation, awareness assessment, and practices related to brucellosis prevention in cattle. The collected data were then entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed via SPSS. Results: A total of 18.3% of the farmers reported that they knew about brucellosis, whereas 21.7% of the farmers heard about brucellosis but did not know exactly what it was, and the remaining 60% had ever heard about it. The results of this study highlight the importance of awareness campaigns in mobilizing farmers with knowledge about the disease and encouraging them to adopt preventive measures against brucellosis. Conclusion: Information about brucellosis prevention should be disseminated through various media channels, such as radios, government enlightenment campaigns, and newspapers, to ensure that farmers from Geita peri-urban areas are well informed and can change their practices to prevent brucellosis in cattle.