Rai Bir Doj, Tenzin Tenzin, Tshering Dorji, Dahal Narapati, Tessema Gizachew A, Fritschi Lin, Dodzi Sylvester Nyadanu, Pereira Gavin
Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Thimphu, Bhutan.
Sub-Regional Representation for Southern Africa, World Organisation for Animal Health, Gaborone, Botswana.
PLOS Glob Public Health. 2025 Jan 9;5(1):e0004142. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004142. eCollection 2025.
The One Health concept is increasingly employed to combat zoonotic diseases. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding One Health and zoonotic diseases among key sector professionals to identify gaps and opportunities for enhancing One Health strategies in Bhutan. A cross-sectional, facility-based study was used to conduct a nationwide online questionnaire survey using a validated and pre-tested questionnaire among professionals from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and universities. Descriptive and summary statistics were calculated. Respondents were categorised into binary groups based on their knowledge, attitude, and practice scores relative to the mean. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the demographic factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding One Health and zoonotic diseases. The survey achieved a 35% response rate, with 964 responses. The majority of respondents demonstrated above-average knowledge (63%), attitudes (50%), and practices (66%) regarding One Health. Professionals with master's degree or higher (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.39; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.16-5.12) were more likely to have above-average knowledge. Regarding zoonotic diseases, approximately half of the respondents had above-average knowledge (51%), attitudes (52%), and two-thirds (66%) had above-average practices. Professionals with mid-level job experience (6-10 years; AOR = 2.13; 95% CI = 1.37-3.30 and 11 to 15 years; AOR = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.31-3.40) were more likely to possess above-average knowledge. Gaps in training, communication, funding, research, and collaborations were identified. Targeted educational interventions, enhanced communication, strengthened collaboration, expanded research, and improved funding are essential for improving One Health approaches and zoonotic disease prevention and control in Bhutan. Our study findings provide valuable insights that can inform global efforts to enhance One Health systems, particularly in regions where resources are limited but disease risks are significant.
“同一健康”概念越来越多地被用于抗击人畜共患病。本研究评估了关键部门专业人员对“同一健康”和人畜共患病的知识、态度及实践情况，以找出不丹在加强“同一健康”战略方面的差距和机遇。一项基于机构的横断面研究通过在卫生部、农业和畜牧部以及各大学的专业人员中使用经过验证和预测试的问卷，开展了全国范围的在线问卷调查。计算了描述性和汇总统计数据。根据受访者相对于平均值的知识、态度和实践得分，将其分为二元组。进行了多变量逻辑回归分析，以确定与“同一健康”和人畜共患病的知识、态度及实践相关的人口统计学因素。该调查的回复率为35%，共收到964份回复。大多数受访者在“同一健康”方面表现出高于平均水平的知识（63%）、态度（50%）和实践（66%）。拥有硕士学位或更高学位的专业人员（调整后的优势比[AOR]=2.39；95%置信区间[CI]=1.16 - 5.12）更有可能拥有高于平均水平的知识。关于人畜共患病，约一半的受访者拥有高于平均水平的知识（51%）、态度（52%），三分之二（66%）的受访者拥有高于平均水平的实践。具有中级工作经验（6 - 10年；AOR = 2.13；95% CI = 1.37 - 3.30）和11至15年工作经验（AOR = 2.11；95% CI = 1.31 - 3.40）的专业人员更有可能拥有高于平均水平的知识。研究发现了培训、沟通、资金、研究及合作方面的差距。有针对性的教育干预、加强沟通、强化合作、扩大研究以及改善资金状况对于改进不丹的“同一健康”方法和人畜共患病预防控制至关重要。我们的研究结果提供了宝贵的见解，可为全球加强“同一健康”体系的努力提供参考，特别是在资源有限但疾病风险较大的地区。
