KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE ABOUT LEPTOSPIROSIS AMONG RESIDENTS OF URBAN AREA, SHAH ALAM AND RURAL AREA PASIR AKAR BESUT, TERENGGANU, MALAYSIANAJIHAH BINTI MOHAMAD SANY AND DURGADAS GOVIND NAIKAbstract Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by species of Leptospira and transmitted to humans by direct or indirect contact with body fluids from infected animals. Leptospirosis is a fatal disease and there is a steady increase in number of cases since 2004 in Malaysia. Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding leptospirosis is important in the prevention of disease. This study is to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards leptospirosis among urban residents of Shah Alam, Selangor and rural residents of Pasir Akar, Besut, Terengganu. The present study includes a total of 400 respondents of which 136 males and 264 females. Respondents were given self-administered questionnaire that contain questions such as socio-demographic, source of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards leptospirosis. The vailable results indicate that 88% urban area and 65% rural area respondents are aware of leptospirosis. It was noted that 85% in urban and 63% in rural respondents believed that controlling rat population is important to prevent leptospirosis. Majority of respondents practice controlling rat population. More than half of rural (54%) and 26 % of urban respondents refer suspected leptospirosis patient to take herbal medicines. There is a significant difference on the level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards leptospirosis in between urban and rural area respondents. There is a need to make continuous efforts to provide health education especially to rural residents.
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