Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) Toward Zoonoses among Kabul University Students, Afghanistan

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the KAP of Kabul University students regarding zoonoses. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 05 to June 28, 2023. The data were collected from 600 students using structured face – to – face interview. The chi-square, correlation, and logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results: About half of the students (42.7%/256) mentioned the infection of themselves or their family members with at least one zoonosis mostly tuberculosis (16.33%), rabies (7.17%), CCHF (4.83), brucellosis (3.17%) and leishmaniasis (3.17%). Although only 38.2% of the students heard the term “zoonoses”, 66.0%, 52.0%, and 70.5% of the students had high knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices regarding zoonoses, respectively. Raw animal product consumption and unhygienic slaughter of animals were the main gaps among the students. The odds of having high knowledge regarding zoonoses was 3.42 times more among medical sciences students (OR: 3.42; CI _95% : 1.51-7.77; p <0.05), however, the students from rural areas had less knowledge regarding zoonoses than urban residents (OR: 0.61; CI _95% : 0.39-0.96; p <0.035). The students with positive attitudes were more likely to have high knowledge (OR: 2.31; CI _95% : 1.42-3.76; p <0.001), and good practices (OR: 2.4; CI _95% : 1.45-3.97; p <0.001). Conclusion: The students had adequate knowledge, positive attitude, and good practice toward zoonoses, however, there were many knowledge gaps, negative perceptions, and risky behaviors among the students. More studies and continuous awareness campaigns are required to determine the KAP among the students and other communities and decrease the risk of zoonoses contraction among students and the general public.