S G Steele1, S M Mor2,3,4. 1. Earlwood Animal Hospital, Earlwood, NSW, Australia. 2. Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. siobhan.mor@sydney.edu.au. 3. Marie Bashir Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. siobhan.mor@sydney.edu.au. 4. Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. siobhan.mor@sydney.edu.au.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to zoonoses among pet owners. METHODS: Questionnaire completed by 81 clients attending a small animal practice in Sydney, Australia. RESULTS: Most (64.5%) clients reported that they were not concerned about contracting a disease from their pet, but 7.9% and 3.9% of clients were a little or very concerned, respectively; 23.7% of clients stated that they had not considered the possibility. Although respondents indicated that they had heard of a number of zoonoses, knowledge of animal sources and exposure pathways was generally low, particularly for the more important zoonoses in Australia such as toxoplasmosis, psittacosis and Q fever. Only 37.0%, 12.3% and 11.1%, respectively, of clients had heard of these diseases. Most respondents (84.1%) indicated that they viewed veterinarians as having the primary responsibility for providing information about zoonoses, yet less than half (48.1%) recalled ever getting information from their veterinarian. Likewise, many respondents (48.1%) indicated that medical professionals played a role in providing information about zoonoses, yet less than one-quarter (23.5%) recalled ever getting information from their doctor. CONCLUSION: The low level of knowledge among pet owners about sources and exposure pathways indicates a need to strengthen communication between veterinarians, doctors and their clients around the possible risks of zoonoses and appropriate prevention strategies.
OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to zoonoses among pet owners. METHODS: Questionnaire completed by 81 clients attending a small animal practice in Sydney, Australia. RESULTS: Most (64.5%) clients reported that they were not concerned about contracting a disease from their pet, but 7.9% and 3.9% of clients were a little or very concerned, respectively; 23.7% of clients stated that they had not considered the possibility. Although respondents indicated that they had heard of a number of zoonoses, knowledge of animal sources and exposure pathways was generally low, particularly for the more important zoonoses in Australia such as toxoplasmosis, psittacosis and Q fever. Only 37.0%, 12.3% and 11.1%, respectively, of clients had heard of these diseases. Most respondents (84.1%) indicated that they viewed veterinarians as having the primary responsibility for providing information about zoonoses, yet less than half (48.1%) recalled ever getting information from their veterinarian. Likewise, many respondents (48.1%) indicated that medical professionals played a role in providing information about zoonoses, yet less than one-quarter (23.5%) recalled ever getting information from their doctor. CONCLUSION: The low level of knowledge among pet owners about sources and exposure pathways indicates a need to strengthen communication between veterinarians, doctors and their clients around the possible risks of zoonoses and appropriate prevention strategies.