Zoonotic diseases remain a major public health concern globally, particularly in settings where humans, livestock, companion animals, wildlife, and the environment interact closely. Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can spread between animals and people through direct contact, contaminated environments, vectors, food, or water. These infections may pass between animals and humans through several pathways, including direct animal contact, contaminated food or water, infected vectors, and exposure to contaminated environments. Recent literature continues to emphasise the importance of animal-origin infections in emerging infectious disease threats; Haider et al. (2020) described spillover and emerging infectious diseases of probable animal origin as key public health challenge, while Dharmarajan et al. (2022) highlighted that approximately three-quarters of emerging infectious diseases are of animal origin.

The World Organisation for Animal Health [WOAH] (2024) further reports that over 60% of existing and 75% of emerging and re-emerging human diseases are zoonotic (World Organisation for Animal Health [WOAH], 2024). Recent One Health guidance also stresses that preventing zoonotic spillover requires moving beyond reactive outbreak response toward reducing risks at source through coordinated human, animal, and environmental health action (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations et al., 2022; Markotter et al., 2023). In Nigeria, the national One Health Strategic Plan identifies zoonotic diseases as a major public health threat and links their increasing burden to rapid population growth, urbanisation, closer human–animal contact, human encroachment into ecosystems, and growing demand for animal-source foods (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2019).

Livestock production is an important component of Nigeria’s livelihood and food systems, contributing to nutrition, household income, employment opportunities, asset ownership, and resilience against economic shocks. The World Bank (2022) noted that the livestock subsector is central to Nigeria’s socio-economic development because many households own animals and a substantial number of people depend on livestock production and related value-chain activities for their livelihoods. Despite this importance, livestock farming in Nigeria is largely practiced at smallholder and subsistence levels, often under conditions of inadequate veterinary support, poor biosecurity, and close contact between people and animals. These circumstances may encourage the circulation of zoonotic pathogens at the human–animal–environment interface and increase the risk of infection among livestock keepers and their families (Ihekweazu et al., 2021).

Through a One Health framework, Nigeria has identified several zoonotic diseases that are of major public health importance. A national zoonotic disease prioritisation exercise ranked rabies, avian influenza, Ebola virus disease, swine influenza, and anthrax as the five leading priority zoonoses in the country. Other diseases, including bovine tuberculosis, Lassa fever, brucellosis, salmonellosis, Rift Valley fever, and cysticercosis/taeniasis, were also recognised as important zoonotic threats (Ihekweazu et al., 2021). Brucellosis continues to be a neglected zoonotic infection in Nigeria, with challenges such as weak surveillance, underdiagnosis, and possible transmission through contact with infected animal tissues or consumption of unpasteurised dairy products (Ducrotoy et al., 2014). In the same way, zoonotic tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis remains a concern for occupationally exposed groups, including herdsmen, abattoir workers, and other livestock handlers (Adesokan et al., 2018).

In South-Eastern Nigeria, including Imo State, animal keeping is a common activity in rural and peri-urban communities. In their study on urban livestock farming in South-East Nigeria, Asadu et al. (2021) found that households commonly reared animals such as poultry, goats, sheep, and pigs. They also reported that livestock keeping in such settings may pose health hazards, including environmental contamination from animal dung, poor waste disposal, and possible exposure to infectious agents. Although some farmers were aware of the risks associated with livestock keeping, this awareness did not always result in safe practices, suggesting the need for continuous technical support and public health education (Asadu et al., 2021).

Studies conducted in Nigeria show that livestock keepers and animal handlers often adopt behaviours that may increase the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. Umar and Nura (2008) found low levels of adequate knowledge, favourable preventive attitudes, and consistent protective practices among farmers and animal handlers in Sokoto metropolis. Similarly, Adesokan et al. (2018) identified major knowledge and practice gaps in the prevention of zoonotic tuberculosis among herdsmen and abattoir workers, including poor awareness of aerosol transmission and limited use of protective clothing. Cadmus et al. (2021) also reported poor knowledge, risk perception, and practices concerning brucellosis and Q fever among pastoralists in Sokoto State. In South-East Nigeria, Njoga et al. (2023) observed unsafe slaughter and meat-handling practices among slaughterhouse workers, including inadequate use of personal protective equipment and unhygienic carcass processing.

Despite the increasing evidence on zoonotic disease risks among livestock-related populations in Nigeria, there is still a shortage of empirical data specifically focused on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of livestock keepers in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. This represents a significant research gap, as studies conducted in other regions or across the wider South-East may not adequately reflect the local socio-cultural context, educational background, occupational practices, and level of access to veterinary services in Owerri West. In the absence of such community-specific information, public health officials, veterinary personnel, and policymakers may face difficulties in developing interventions that are both effective and culturally suitable for livestock-keeping communities in the area.

Therefore, this study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding zoonotic diseases among livestock keepers in rural communities of Owerri West LGA, Imo State. The study also examined sources of zoonotic disease information and the association between selected demographic characteristics and KAP outcomes. The findings are expected to support targeted health education, veterinary extension programming, and community-based One Health interventions aimed at reducing zoonotic disease risks at the human–animal–environment interface.

Specific Objectives

1. Assess the level of knowledge of zoonotic diseases among livestock keepers in rural communities of Owerri West LGA, Imo State.
2. Examine the attitudes of livestock keepers toward zoonotic disease prevention and control measures in Owerri West LGA.
3. Determine the preventive and management practices adopted by livestock keepers regarding zoonotic diseases in Owerri West LGA.
4. Examine the association between selected demographic characteristics and the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of livestock keepers regarding zoonotic diseases in Owerri West LGA.

Methodology

This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding zoonotic diseases among livestock keepers in rural communities of Owerri West LGA, Imo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was considered appropriate because it enables the collection of data from a defined population at a single point in time and provides a snapshot of prevailing characteristics, exposures, and outcomes within the study population (Celentano & Szklo, 2019). The study was conducted in Owerri West LGA, one of the 27 local government areas in Imo State, South-Eastern Nigeria. Owerri West has its headquarters at Umuguma and forms part of the Owerri metropolitan area. Available population data indicate that the LGA had a population of 101,754 at the 2006 national census, with a projected population of 141,400 in 2022 (City Population, n.d.). The selected communities were Obibiezena, Umuguma, Eziobodo, Naze, Orji, and Ihiagwa. The target population comprised livestock keepers in rural communities of Owerri West LGA who were actively engaged in livestock production at the time of the study. Livestock keepers were defined as individuals who kept one or more livestock species, including goats, pigs, poultry, sheep, or cattle, either for subsistence or commercial purposes.

 Participants were included if they were resident in rural communities of Owerri West LGA, had been actively engaged in livestock production for at least one year, were aged 18 years and above, and gave informed consent to participate. Livestock keepers were excluded if they were not resident in the study area, had less than one year of livestock-keeping experience, were below 18 years, or were unable or unwilling to give informed consent. The sample size was determined using the Cochran formula for estimating sample size in large populations (Cochran, 1977): n = Z²pq/d². Using Z = 1.96, p = 0.50, q = 0.50, and d = 0.05, the minimum sample size was calculated as 384. After adjusting for a 10% non-response rate, the final target sample size was 422 livestock keepers.

A multistage sampling technique was employed. In the first stage, six communities in Owerri West LGA were purposively selected based on the predominance of livestock-keeping activities. In the second stage, the sample size was proportionately allocated to the selected communities based on the estimated number of livestock keepers. In the third stage, systematic random sampling was used to select respondents from each community. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire developed after reviewing relevant literature on zoonotic diseases and KAP studies among livestock keepers and animal handlers in Nigeria (Adesokan et al., 2018; Awosanya & Akande, 2015; Cadmus et al., 2021; Obi, 2016; Umar & Nura, 2008). The questionnaire was prepared in simple English and translated into Igbo to enhance comprehension. It contained sections on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of zoonotic diseases, attitudes toward prevention and control, preventive practices, and sources of information.

For the knowledge section, each correct response was awarded one mark, while incorrect or “do not know” responses were awarded zero. Total knowledge score was computed out of 15 marks and classified as good knowledge (≥11), moderate knowledge (8–10), and poor knowledge (<8). Attitude and practice scores were summed and converted to percentages of total obtainable scores. Attitudes were classified as positive (≥75%), neutral (50–74%), and negative (<50%), while practices were classified as good (≥75%), fair (50–74%), and poor (<50%). Face and content validity were established through expert review by three academic professionals in public health, veterinary medicine, and epidemiology. Reliability was assessed through a pilot study among 42 livestock keepers in a neighbouring LGA with similar characteristics. The internal consistency of the instrument was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, with a value of 0.78 obtained, indicating acceptable reliability (Nunnally & Bernstein, 1994).

Data collection was carried out over eight weeks by four trained research assistants fluent in English and Igbo. Each selected livestock keeper was approached at their farm or household, the purpose of the study was explained, and informed consent was obtained before questionnaire administration. Each interview lasted approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Completed questionnaires were checked daily for completeness and consistency.

Data were coded, entered, cleaned, and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (IBM Corp., 2019). Descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used to summarize respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics and KAP scores. The Chi-square test was used to assess associations between categorical demographic variables and classified KAP levels. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Ethical approval was obtained from the Imo State Ministry of Health Research Ethics Committee before data collection. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Participation was voluntary, and respondents were assured of confidentiality and anonymity.

Results

A total of 422 questionnaires were distributed to livestock keepers in rural communities of Owerri West LGA, Imo State. Of these, 365 were returned fully completed, giving a response rate of 86.5%.

Table 1: Socio-demographic characteristics of livestock keepers in Owerri West LGA (n = 365)

Table 1 shows that most respondents were aged 31–40 years (30.7%), male (62.5%), and had secondary education (36.7%). Poultry keeping was the most common livestock activity (36.7%), and 59.5% reported no access to veterinary extension services.

Table 2. Knowledge of livestock keepers regarding zoonotic diseases (n = 365)

Table 3. Classification of respondents by knowledge level (n = 365)

Table 4. Attitudes of livestock keepers toward zoonotic disease prevention and control (n = 365)

SA = Strongly Agree; A = Agree; U = Undecided; D = Disagree; SD = Strongly Disagree.

Table 5. Classification of respondents by attitude level (n = 365)

Negative attitudes predominated among respondents, with 46.8% classified as having negative attitudes. The mean attitude score was 25.46 out of 50.

Table 6. Practices of livestock keepers regarding zoonotic disease prevention and management (n = 365)

Table 7. Classification of respondents by practice level (n = 365)

Table 9: Association between demographic variables and knowledge of zoonotic diseases (n = 365)

Table 10. Association between demographic variables and attitudes toward zoonotic disease prevention (n = 365)

Table 11. Association between demographic variables and practices regarding zoonotic disease prevention (n = 365)

*p < 0.05 = statistically significant.