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Farmers

Rabies Remains a Significant Public Health Concern in Kazakhstan Despite Awareness Efforts

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Laboratory of Biotechnology has highlighted the need for targeted educational initiatives to improve rabies awareness and promote safer livestock management practices in rural Kazakhstan. The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) related to rabies among livestock farmers in the Aktobe and Oral regions of West Kazakhstan. The findings revealed significant knowledge gaps regarding clinical signs, transmission, and prevention of rabies, despite 89% of respondents being aware of the disease.

Key Takeaways:

  • A cross-sectional survey involving 688 randomly selected participants was conducted between April and August 2022 to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to rabies among livestock farmers in rural Kazakhstan.
  • 89% of respondents were aware of rabies, but significant knowledge gaps existed regarding clinical signs, transmission, and prevention, highlighting the need for targeted educational initiatives.
  • 87% of respondents recognized the importance of rabies vaccination in dogs, but 81% were unaware of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for cattle, and 72% lacked knowledge of PrEP for humans.
  • Awareness of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was significantly higher in the Aktobe region (* * p* * value not specified).
  • The study highlighted the need for enhanced veterinary surveillance, strengthened community engagement, and expanded vaccination efforts to mitigate rabies transmission risks.
  • The findings suggest that targeted educational initiatives are necessary to improve rabies awareness and promote safer livestock management practices among rural livestock farmers in Kazakhstan.
  • The study's results have implications for public health policy and practice, emphasizing the importance of addressing knowledge gaps and promoting prevention measures to reduce the risk of rabies transmission.

Statistics:

  • 688 participants were randomly selected for the cross-sectional survey.
  • 89% of respondents were aware of rabies.
  • 87% of respondents recognized the importance of rabies vaccination in dogs.
  • 81% of respondents were unaware of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for cattle.
  • 72% of respondents lacked knowledge of PrEP for humans.

Sources:

  • Smallholder Cattle Farmers' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Rabies: A Regional Survey in Kazakhstan, Veterinary Sciences, 2025, 12(4), 335. (https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12040335)
  • Laboratory of Biotechnology, Zhangir Khan West Kazakhstan Agrarian-Technical University, Oral 030000, Kazakhstan.
  • Ministry of Science And Higher Education of The Republic of Kazakhstan.

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