[Level of knowledge on zoonoses in dog and cat owners].

OBJECTIVES

To assess knowledge about zoonoses in dog and cat owners.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

After applying a questionnaire to 100 owners, data was analyzed by calculating simple means and quantifiable percentage.

RESULTS

77% of the sample owned dogs and 37% cats. All of them claimed to know that animals transmit diseases, but 74% said they were unaware of zoonoses and 80% never received information on the subject. Over 90% of respondents said they know of diseases transmitted by dogs and cats, and 94% point dogs as transmitters of rabies, with 90% being associated with bites, and 88% recognizing vaccination as prevention. Regarding leishmaniasis, 45% associated transmission by mosquito bites and 22% knew about prevention with repellent collars. Mice were associated with the transmission of leptospirosis by 57%, and 22% mentioned feces as a source of infection and 19% controlling rodents as a prevention measure. 59% of the sample reported that cats are transmitters of toxoplasmosis, that feces are the main source (26%) and that hygiene is as a prevention measure (25%). Only 9% knew about sporotrichosis, 6% recognized scratching as a form of transmission by cats and 3% indicated the treatment of diseased animals as a prevention measure.

DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates the lack of awareness among the target population of the aforementioned zoonoses.

CONCLUSION

The results are important to design preventive health education strategies focused on public health.