Assessment of Pet Owners' Knowledge on Parasitic Infection in Sylhet City Corporation, Bangladesh.

Abstract

Pets can contain parasites along with other infectious diseases. This survey investigates risk factors associated with pet owners' sociodemographic status and categorizes pet animals into different risk groups, as reported by their owners, in Sylhet City Corporation, Bangladesh. Data were collected using a preplanned questionnaire from cat and dog owners at different pet clinics. The responses provided details on pets' living conditions and classified them into one of the four levels of risk for ESCCAP infections (A, B, C, and D). The chi-square test examined associations between risk groups and the owners' sociodemographic factors. This study assessed 197 cat owners and 32 dog owners to assess their pets' risk of diseases using ESCCAP guidelines and its relationship with owners' sociodemographic factors. Among dogs, 50% were classified in the highest-risk group (D), requiring monthly deworming, while 54% of cats were in the lowest-risk group (A), reflecting reduced exposure to parasites. For dogs, significant associations were observed between risk groups and owners' education, gender, veterinary visits, and residency (p < 0.05). Among cat owners, owners' residency, responsibility, vet visits, and attitude toward pets are significantly associated with different risk groups (p < 0.05). Deworming compliance was higher among cat owners (55.83%) than dog owners (18.75%), though it remained suboptimal overall. Awareness of zoonotic diseases was low, with only 21.87% of dog owners and 25.38% of cat owners informed. The serious shortage of zoonotic awareness among pet owners forms the basis of the One Health challenges. This represents a major threat to public health owing to the intimate relationship between owners and vulnerable pets, such as 50% of dogs in group D. Vaccination rates were higher for cats (56.34%) than dogs (28.12%). Pets in urban areas faced lower risks than those in rural settings (p < 0.001), underscoring the role of environmental exposure. These findings emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive health education, better veterinary engagement, and targeted interventions to enhance parasite control and reduce zoonotic risks within the One Health framework.