Emerging infectious threats continue to challenge global health systems, many of which originate at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental interfaces. Diseases that originate from zoonotic source, such as COVID-19, account for a significant proportion of emerging and re-emerging infections and have reshaped global priorities. Reinforcing the need for integrated surveillance and response strategies, due to their potential to escalate into large-scale epidemics or pandemics. In Palestine, challenges such as the compromised surveillance system and the ongoing political instability further exacerbate the proper management of these diseases. A pattern of underreporting and misdiagnosis of ZDs in the country underscores the urgent need for a coordinated response.
Preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases does not only require grasping their biological and ecological transmission pathways, but also a deeper understanding of the epistemological dimensions, that shape how knowledge is perceived and acted upon in public health. The way healthcare professionals understand, internalize, and apply this knowledge can directly influence disease detection, reporting, and response. While grounded in an epistemological context, this study uses statistical modeling to assess the discrepancy between healthcare professionals’ actual and perceived knowledge of zoonotic diseases, using brucellosis and coxiellosis as case studies to highlight the practical implications of this gap for effective disease control.
For the analysis, a cluster sampling approach was conducted, where data was collected from 196 participants across 43 primary healthcare centers affiliated with the Ministry of Health (MoH), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). A Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) survey was utilized to evaluate healthcare professionals' understanding of disease transmission, prevention, treatment, and clinical symptoms.
The results revealed disparities between actual and perceived knowledge levels. Among healthcare professionals, medical doctors achieved the highest actual knowledge scores. Additionally, participants with higher educational backgrounds achieved higher scores compared to lower degree holders. Gender-based variations in knowledge levels were also observed, with males achieving higher scores. Post-qualification training did not show a statistically significant relation with higher scores, which may reflect variability in the design, delivery, or relevance of current training programs for infectious diseases—particularly those addressing zoonoses.
By assessing the knowledge disparities and bridging the knowledge gaps between actual and perceived knowledge levels, this research offers evidence-based interventions and provides valuable insights on improving prevention strategies, developing profession-specific education and training programs that adequately equip healthcare providers to effectively recognize, diagnose, and manage zoonotic diseases. These efforts are particularly crucial in light of the ongoing political instability, which continues to constrain the development and resilience of Palestine’s healthcare infrastructure. Enhancing preparedness under such conditions is essential not only for improving public health outcomes but also for ensuring the health system’s ability to effectively respond to emerging infectious disease threats.