CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THE GENERAL AWARENESS OF FOOTAND MOUTH DISEASE AMOUNG DAIRY FARMERS OF THRISSUR DISTRICT IN KERALA STATE

Abstract

A content analysis of the awareness items pertaining to FMD was done. Content analysis of the knowledge items pertaining to symptoms and transmission revealed that the rapid spreading nature of FMD and its transmission through air/ wind were known to a considerable majority even as some were not aware that FMD could be mechanically transmitted by human beings and that it could be contracted from the affected wild ruminants. Content analysis of the knowledge items pertaining to first aid and disease management showed that only a few of the dairy farmers knew that there were not any specific treatment for FMD. Content analysis of the awareness items pertaining to prevention and control of FMD indicated that many dairy farmers knew the importance of preventive vaccination.

Keywords

• fmd
• genera! awareness
• content analysis