Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Toxoplasmosis Among Veterinary and Human Health Professionals in Central...

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health and veterinary challenges worldwide. In Ethiopia, understanding the awareness and behaviors of both animal and human health professionals is vital for the effective prevention and control of diseases. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of veterinary and public health professionals regarding the zoonotic importance of toxoplasmosis in Central Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2023 to July 2024 in Holeta and Burayu towns and Addis Ababa city, Central Ethiopia. A total of 411 veterinary and health professionals were selected using a multistage sampling approach and completed a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed using STATA Version 14 to identify factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices scores. The findings showed that 79.3% of respondents had good knowledge, 83% had a positive attitude, and 90% demonstrated good practice. Professionals over 41 years of age were more likely to have a positive attitude compared to those aged 18-30 years (OR = 3.5; 95% CI: 1.1-11.0; p = 0.033). Regarding practice, those residing in Addis Ababa had higher odds of good practice than those in Holeta (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2-6.2; p = 0.018), and veterinarians were significantly more likely to exhibit good practice compared to human health professionals (OR = 11.4; 95% CI: 1.5-86.5; p = 0.019). However, no factors were significantly associated with knowledge levels. A considerable proportion of veterinary and health professionals in Central Ethiopia demonstrated good knowledge, positive attitudes, and sound practices regarding toxoplasmosis. Strengthening health education and improving healthcare infrastructure are recommended to further enhance awareness and mitigate zoonotic risks.