Brucellosis in Kazakhstan: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Smallholder Farmers and Veterinary Specialists

Tursunkulov S. Zakirova F. Moldakhmetova Z. Tegza A. Sayakova Z. Abekeshev N. Bizhanov A. Mussayeva A. Kanatbayev S. Admanova G. Rametov N. Bakishev T. Bakisheva Z. Bulasheva A. Temirova A. Issimov A.
February 2026 Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

Veterinary Sciences
2026 #13 Issue 2

Brucellosis continues to pose a substantial zoonotic risk in Kazakhstan; however, evidence describing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of cattle farmers and veterinary personnel remains limited. A cross-sectional study was undertaken between May and October 2024 across twelve administrative locations nationwide. Structured questionnaires were administered to 506 cattle farmers and 33 veterinary professionals, and the data were evaluated using descriptive analyses and univariable logistic regression. Awareness of brucellosis in cattle was relatively high among farmers, yet understanding of its implications for human health was markedly lower. In contrast, animal health workers demonstrated consistently higher levels of knowledge (OR: 12.6; 95% CI: 9.88–16.34; p < 0.001). Several practices associated with zoonotic transmission were commonly reported by farmers, including handling aborted materials without protective gloves, consumption of unpasteurised milk, and leaving reproductive tissues in grazing areas. Nevertheless, most farmers expressed readiness to adopt preventive measures, particularly cattle vaccination and the use of basic protective practices. These findings reveal important gaps between awareness and behavior that may contribute to continued transmission of brucellosis. Strengthening farmer education through locally tailored, One Health-based interventions offers a practical pathway to improving brucellosis control and enhancing cattle productivity in Kazakhstan.

attitudes , brucellosis , cattle , Kazakhstan , knowledge , practices

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Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Agrotechnology, Zhangir Khan West Kazakhstan Agrarian-Technical University, Oral, 030000, Kazakhstan
Department of Veterinary Sanitation, A. Baitursynov, Kostanay Regional University, Kostanay, 110000, Kazakhstan
Department of Bacteriology, Kazakh Research Veterinary Institute, Almaty, 050016, Kazakhstan
Kazakh Scientific Research Veterinary Institute, Branch “West Kazakhstan Scientific Research Veterinary Station”, Oral, 030000, Kazakhstan
Department of Biology, K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University, Aktobe, 030000, Kazakhstan
Department of Geospatial Engineering, Satpayev Kazakh National Research Technical University, Almaty, 050016, Kazakhstan
Department of Veterinary Science, Shakarim University, Semey, 071412, Kazakhstan

Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Agrotechnology
Department of Veterinary Sanitation
Department of Bacteriology
Kazakh Scientific Research Veterinary Institute
Department of Biology
Department of Geospatial Engineering
Department of Veterinary Science

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