Mapping the zoonotic interface: a cross-sectional study of One Health waste management knowledge and attitudes among urban livestock keepers in the Dodoma region, Tanzania
Sarah P Mweta, Dedius E Peter, Walter C MillanziBackground
Zoonotic diseases pose a significant public health threat, particularly in urbanising areas of low- and middle-income countries like Tanzania, where informal livestock keeping overlaps with inadequate waste management practices. Livestock keepers’ knowledge and attitudes toward zoonotic waste management are crucial for preventing disease transmission within a One Health framework, yet these aspects remain underexplored in rapidly growing cities such as Dodoma Urban.
Objective
This study assessed knowledge and attitudes regarding zoonotic waste management among livestock keepers in Dodoma Urban, Tanzania.
Methods
A cross-sectional analytical study involving 384 livestock keepers selected using systematic sampling was conducted. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from prior studies, translated into Swahili and analysed using SPSS V.27. All independent variables with p<0.20 were included in the multivariable logistic model. Independent variables with p≤0.05 and 95% CI were considered statistically significant.
Results
A total of 384 participants with a mean age of 34.14 years (SD±7.162) were recruited. The study highlighted that 54.2% (n=208) had adequate knowledge, while 44.3% (n=170) had positive attitudes. Factors significantly associated with adequate knowledge included age >35 years (adjusted OR (AOR)=4.43, 95% CI 2.44 to 10.62, p=0.006), tertiary education (AOR=6.11, 95% CI 3.58 to 9.12, p=0.003), >10 years of experience (AOR=3.27, 95% CI 1.22 to 5.24, p=0.01) and training (AOR=5.38, 95% CI 2.22 to 7.65, p=0.003). Similar factors were associated with positive attitudes, including age >35 years (AOR=5.44, 95% CI 1.53 to 7.86, p=0.005), tertiary education (AOR=7.35, 95% CI 5.15 to 12.76, p=0.002), >10 years of experience (AOR=4.49, 95% CI 1.34 to 5.78, p=0.004) and training (AOR=6.10, 95% CI 2.66 to 8.83, p=0.002).
Conclusion
Livestock keepers in Dodoma Urban demonstrate moderate knowledge but suboptimal attitudes toward zoonotic waste management, influenced by socio-demographic factors and training. Targeted educational interventions and policy enforcement are crucial for enhancing urban livestock systems, One Health preparedness and reducing zoonotic spill-over risks in urban Tanzania.