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Abstract
Aim: Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease in Turkey with significant public health implications. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge levels of patients attending a family medicine outpatient clinic regarding brucellosis.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic of Kafkas University Medical Faculty Research Hospital between July 1, 2023, and September 30, 2023. A total of 345 participants were included. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge about brucellosis transmission, symptoms, prevention, and treatment.
Results: Of 345 participants (mean age 33 years, 52.8% female), 66.1% had heard of brucellosis, but only 29.3% recognized it as zoonotic. Knowledge of transmission was limited (unpasteurized dairy 56.2%, animal contact 31.3%, aerosols 14.5%), and 15.9% believed in person-to-person spread. Awareness of symptoms (45.5%) and complications (21.4%) was low; 40.9% knew treatment involved antibiotics. Among animal owners (23.2%), preventive practices included vaccination (68.8%), burial of aborted materials (67.5%), and avoiding consumption of products from aborted animals (83.8%).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that knowledge levels regarding brucellosis among patients were insufficient, particularly concerning transmission and prevention. Public health interventions, including education and awareness campaigns, are essential to improve knowledge and reduce the burden of brucellosis in endemic regions.
