Background:

Brucellosis is a common zoonosis and in many countries it is a prevalent health problem. In Paraguay, no evidence has been found of the knowledge that dairy herd workers have and the preventive practices they use.

Objective:

To evaluate the knowledge, prevention and biosecurity practices on Brucellosis of workers exposed to risk in dairy herds of Caaguazú.

Materials and methods:

A cross-sectional study was carried out in a representative sample of livestock establishments in the Department of Caaguazú. From May to June 2017, 720 workers from 360 dairy farms were interviewed, using a structured questionnaire with closed questions. Information on the knowledge, prevention and biosecurity practices on brucellosis was obtained.

Result:

The median age of the workers was 34 years, 70% were men. 11.7% were illiterate and 62.1% only completed the primary. 90% worked as a tambero/milker. Sixty-four percent said they did not know about the disease, 73.6% did not know how the disease was acquired, 71.5% never received information about brucellosis. 73.3% had no knowledge of preventive practices. All consumed unpasteurized dairy byproducts, mainly Paraguayan cheese

Conclusion:

There is a lack of knowledge of the disease and the way of transmission. Risk practices are frequent. It is necessary to implement education and awareness programs on brucellosis.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )