Information-seeking Behavior of Dairy Farmers regarding Prevention of Zoonotic Disease

Rakesh Ahuja; Gautam; Sarita; Rachna; Ruchi Singh

doi:10.21887/ijvsbt.17.3.12

Rakesh Ahuja Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, International Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Bahu Akbarpur, Rohtak, Haryana, India
Gautam Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India
Sarita Directorate of Extension Education, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India
Rachna Dairy Extension, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India
Ruchi Singh Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, College of Veterinary Sciences, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur-482001, Madhya Pradesh, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21887/ijvsbt.17.3.12

Keywords: Dairy farmers, Haryana, Information-seeking behavior, Zoonoses

Abstract

The present study was carried out to ascertain dairy farmers’ information-seeking behavior regarding the prevention of zoonotic diseases. The study was conducted in 8 villages chosen randomly from 2 districts of Haryana state. A majority of the respondents had moderate information-seeking behavior about zoonoses. This was assessed in terms of ‘sources of information’ and ‘extent and how frequently the information was sought.’ Further, the correlation between the respondents’ personality traits and their information-seeking behavior scores revealed that different variables like extension participation, social participation, caste, and risk orientation exerted significant influence. Most of the time, the sources utilized by the respondents were progressive and co-farmers, followed by veterinary hospitals, neighbors/ friends, training, etc. Respondents sought more information on selection criteria for disease-free animals, storage of feed, supplemental feed preparation, and health care. It is suggested that further studies to understand the factors affecting the information behavior of farmers are needed.