Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding waterborne zoonotic protozoan diseases among smallholder cattle farmers in the Awi Zone, Ethiopia: A one health-based cross-sectional study

Teshager Worku Beyene; Gedam Tola Degefa; Yelfwagash Asmare; Meleku Wale Ferede; Abaineh Munshea Abitew; Destaw Damitie Yehualaw; Tadesse Hailu Jember; Endalkachew Nibret Simegn; Sissay Menkir Mekonnen

doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i9.36

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Open Vet. J.. 2026; 16(9): 6296-6311

doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i9.36

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding waterborne zoonotic protozoan diseases among smallholder cattle farmers in the Awi Zone, Ethiopia: A one health-based cross-sectional study

Teshager Worku Beyene, Gedam Tola Degefa, Yelfwagash Asmare, Meleku Wale Ferede, Abaineh Munshea Abitew, Destaw Damitie Yehualaw, Tadesse Hailu Jember, Endalkachew Nibret Simegn, Sissay Menkir Mekonnen.

Abstract
Background:
Zoonotic protozoal diseases pose risks in Ethiopia’s agriculture, public health, and water industry sectors.

Aim:
This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of smallholder cattle farmers in the Awi zone regarding water zoonotic protozoal infections.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 832 smallholder cattle farmers from March to April 2025 using well-validated structured questionnaires. Sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge, attitude, and practice data on waterborne zoonotic protozoan diseases were collected (response rate of 98.6%).

Results:
Good levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices were observed in 44.0%, 47.7%, and 38.8% of the participants, respectively. Specific knowledge about cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis was very low (9.4% and 13.2%, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age, education level, income level, zoonosis training, access to information, and livestock raising systems were predictors of KAP performance.

Conclusion:
This study indicated significant gaps in the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of smallholder cattle farmers in the Awi zone. Urgent interventions are needed to mitigate zoonoses using the One Health approach.

Key words: Ethiopia; KAP; One Health; Smallholder farmers; Waterborne protozoan zoonoses.

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How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Beyene TW, Degefa GT, Asmare Y, Ferede MW, Abitew AM, Yehualaw DD, Jember TH, Simegn EN, Mekonnen SM. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding waterborne zoonotic protozoan diseases among smallholder cattle farmers in the Awi Zone, Ethiopia: A one health-based cross-sectional study. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i9.36

Web Style

Beyene TW, Degefa GT, Asmare Y, Ferede MW, Abitew AM, Yehualaw DD, Jember TH, Simegn EN, Mekonnen SM. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding waterborne zoonotic protozoan diseases among smallholder cattle farmers in the Awi Zone, Ethiopia: A one health-based cross-sectional study. https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=322219 [Access: September 16, 2026]. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i9.36

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Beyene TW, Degefa GT, Asmare Y, Ferede MW, Abitew AM, Yehualaw DD, Jember TH, Simegn EN, Mekonnen SM. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding waterborne zoonotic protozoan diseases among smallholder cattle farmers in the Awi Zone, Ethiopia: A one health-based cross-sectional study. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i9.36

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Harvard Style

Beyene, T. W., Degefa, . G. T., Asmare, . Y., Ferede, . M. W., Abitew, . A. M., Yehualaw, . D. D., Jember, . T. H., Simegn, . E. N. & Mekonnen, . S. M. (2026) Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding waterborne zoonotic protozoan diseases among smallholder cattle farmers in the Awi Zone, Ethiopia: A one health-based cross-sectional study. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i9.36

Turabian Style

Beyene, Teshager Worku, Gedam Tola Degefa, Yelfwagash Asmare, Meleku Wale Ferede, Abaineh Munshea Abitew, Destaw Damitie Yehualaw, Tadesse Hailu Jember, Endalkachew Nibret Simegn, and Sissay Menkir Mekonnen. 2026. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding waterborne zoonotic protozoan diseases among smallholder cattle farmers in the Awi Zone, Ethiopia: A one health-based cross-sectional study. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i9.36

Chicago Style

Beyene, Teshager Worku, Gedam Tola Degefa, Yelfwagash Asmare, Meleku Wale Ferede, Abaineh Munshea Abitew, Destaw Damitie Yehualaw, Tadesse Hailu Jember, Endalkachew Nibret Simegn, and Sissay Menkir Mekonnen. "Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding waterborne zoonotic protozoan diseases among smallholder cattle farmers in the Awi Zone, Ethiopia: A one health-based cross-sectional study." doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i9.36

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Beyene, Teshager Worku, Gedam Tola Degefa, Yelfwagash Asmare, Meleku Wale Ferede, Abaineh Munshea Abitew, Destaw Damitie Yehualaw, Tadesse Hailu Jember, Endalkachew Nibret Simegn, and Sissay Menkir Mekonnen. "Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding waterborne zoonotic protozoan diseases among smallholder cattle farmers in the Awi Zone, Ethiopia: A one health-based cross-sectional study." doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i9.36

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

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