Volume 3, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Zoonosis 2023, 3(4): 1-6 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Rahmanpour A, Ghafouri G. KAP of Community Health Workers in the Control and Prevention of Brucellosis in Rural Areas of Kurdistan Province: A Descriptive–Analytical Study. Zoonosis 2023; 3 (4) :1-6
URL: http://zoonosis.ir/article-1-104-en.html
URL: http://zoonosis.ir/article-1-104-en.html
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences , rahmanpour_arvin@yahoo.com
Abstract: (64 Views)
Brucellosis is one of the most significant zoonotic diseases in Iran and remains a persistent threat to the health of rural populations. Community health workers (Behvarz), as the main providers of primary health-care services, play a crucial role in prevention, early detection, and community education. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of Behvarz in Kurdistan Province regarding brucellosis and to compare their status with findings from similar studies. This descriptive–analytical study was conducted in 2025 among 180 Behvarz working in rural health centers of Kurdistan Province. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising demographic characteristics, knowledge (15 items), attitude (10 items), and practice (10 items). Responses were scored using a Likert scale, and scores above 75% were considered desirable. Content validity was confirmed by 10 infectious disease specialists, and reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α = 0.87). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 through independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The mean age of participants was 34.6 ± 5.8 years, and 64% were female. Eighty-five percent had previously participated in training courses related to zoonotic diseases. The mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 76.4%, 82.1%, and 70.8%, respectively. Significant correlations were found between knowledge and practice (r = 0.56, p < 0.01) and between attitude and practice (r = 0.43, p < 0.05). Behvarz with more than 10 years of work experience demonstrated significantly better performance (p < 0.05). Although the levels of knowledge and attitude toward brucellosis among Behvarz were desirable, their practice—particularly in rural community education—requires improvement. Implementing targeted refresher training programs, developing digital disease-reporting tools, and strengthening collaboration between the health-care network and veterinary services may effectively enhance their performance.
Book Review: Original Article |
Subject:
Medical Microbiology
Received: 2025/11/22 | Accepted: 2025/12/1 | Published: 2025/12/26
Received: 2025/11/22 | Accepted: 2025/12/1 | Published: 2025/12/26
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
