Issue cover
Research Article | 09 Nov 2026

Knowledge–practice gaps and direct and indirect associations among knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices regarding brucellosis and coxiellosis among meat goat farmers in northeastern Thailand

Sarinya Rerkyusuke1,2, Sawarin Lerk-u-suke3,4, Veerasak Punyapornwithaya5,6, Supitchaya Siriyakhun5,6, Nicha Charoensri2,7, Peerapol Sukon2,8, and Patchara Phuektes2,8 Show more
VETERINARY WORLD | Article No. 9 | pg no. 5062-5087 | Vol. 19, Issue 11 | DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2026.5062-5087
Cited by 0
View PDF
View ePDF Download PDF

Cite this Article

  • APA
  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • Vancouver
  • Harvard

                            
                        


                    


                


            


            


            
        

              

                
                  

                      
ABSTRACT

                      
Background and Aim: Brucellosis and coxiellosis are important reproductive zoonoses affecting small ruminants and posing occupational risks to livestock farmers. Although both infections are present in northeastern Thailand, farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices (KAP) remain poorly characterized. This study assessed KAP regarding brucellosis and coxiellosis among meat goat farmers, identified associated demographic and herd-related factors, and examined direct and indirect associations among KAP domains.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from April 2024 to March 2025 in Khon Kaen and Chaiyaphum Provinces, Thailand. Using convenience sampling, 146 meat goat farmers were recruited from a provincial farmers’ network, compared with a target sample of 329. A structured questionnaire assessed knowledge (14 items), attitudes (15 items), and preventive practices (44 items). Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha. Multiple linear regression, correlation analysis, and path analysis were performed to identify associated factors and examine relationships among KAP domains.
Results: Mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 66.54% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 63.43–69.64), 81.60% (95% CI: 79.57–83.63), and 51.07% (95% CI: 48.79–53.36), respectively, demonstrating a substantial knowledge–practice gap despite favorable attitudes. Awareness of coxiellosis was particularly limited (2.74%) compared with brucellosis (43.15%). Knowledge was weakly correlated with preventive practices (Spearman’s ρ = 0.28, p < 0.001). Path analysis identified significant direct associations of knowledge (b = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.03–0.72, p = 0.033) and attitudes (b = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.29–0.80, p < 0.001) with preventive practices, alongside an indirect association through attitudes. Higher knowledge was associated with graduate education, whereas improved practices were associated with reported herd arthritis. The model explained 27.50% of the variance in preventive practices.
Conclusion: Substantial gaps between disease awareness, favorable attitudes, and preventive practices highlight the need for targeted, literacy-sensitive farmer education integrated with affordable diagnostic testing and veterinary support. Because recruitment was nonrandom and below the target sample size, these associations require confirmation in larger, representative studies.
                      
Keywords: brucellosis, coxiellosis, goat farming, knowledge–attitude–practice, One Health, path analysis, preventive practices, zoonotic diseases.