# Brucellosis in Kazakhstan: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Smallholder Farmers and Veterinary Specialists

## TL;DR

A study in Kazakhstan finds that while farmers know about brucellosis in cattle, they often lack awareness of its risks to humans and engage in risky practices, suggesting the need for better education and collaboration with veterinary professionals.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Kazakhstani farmers and veterinary professionals regarding brucellosis transmission and prevention.

## Key findings

- Farmers had high awareness of brucellosis in cattle but low understanding of its human health risks.
- Common risky practices included handling birth materials without protection and consuming unpasteurized milk.
- Veterinary professionals showed significantly higher knowledge of brucellosis compared to farmers.

## Abstract

Brucellosis is a disease that affects cattle and can also infect people, mainly through contact with animals or unsafe animal products. In Kazakhstan, brucellosis remains an important health and economic problem, but little is known about how well cattle farmers understand the disease or how their daily farming practices may influence its spread. This study examined farmers’ awareness of brucellosis, their attitudes toward prevention, and common cattle management practices, and compared these findings with the knowledge of veterinary professionals. Interviews showed that most farmers were aware of brucellosis in cattle, but many did not know that the disease can spread to humans. Several risky practices were common, such as handling birth materials without protection and leaving animal tissues in grazing areas. At the same time, most farmers expressed willingness to vaccinate cattle and use protective measures if these reduced disease risk. Improving farmer education, with support from veterinary professionals, may help reduce brucellosis transmission and improve both human health and livestock productivity in Kazakhstan.

Brucellosis continues to pose a substantial zoonotic risk in Kazakhstan; however, evidence describing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of cattle farmers and veterinary personnel remains limited. A cross-sectional study was undertaken between May and October 2024 across twelve administrative locations nationwide. Structured questionnaires were administered to 506 cattle farmers and 33 veterinary professionals, and the data were evaluated using descriptive analyses and univariable logistic regression. Awareness of brucellosis in cattle was relatively high among farmers, yet understanding of its implications for human health was markedly lower. In contrast, animal health workers demonstrated consistently higher levels of knowledge (OR: 12.6; 95% CI: 9.88–16.34; p < 0.001). Several practices associated with zoonotic transmission were commonly reported by farmers, including handling aborted materials without protective gloves, consumption of unpasteurised milk, and leaving reproductive tissues in grazing areas. Nevertheless, most farmers expressed readiness to adopt preventive measures, particularly cattle vaccination and the use of basic protective practices. These findings reveal important gaps between awareness and behavior that may contribute to continued transmission of brucellosis. Strengthening farmer education through locally tailored, One Health-based interventions offers a practical pathway to improving brucellosis control and enhancing cattle productivity in Kazakhstan.