Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices regarding Leptospirosis among Visitors to a Recreational Forest in Malaysia

A cross-sectional study of 300 visitors to Malaysia's Forest Research Institute Forest Park Selangor found that while most had high knowledge and positive attitudes toward leptospirosis, significant gaps remained—particularly regarding transmission routes. The research identified a strong correlation between higher knowledge scores and better prevention practices, highlighting the need for targeted education campaigns in recreational areas to address misconceptions (e.g., 78% incorrectly cited handwashing as a major cause). These insights underscore the importance of precision-focused public health interventions to mitigate leptospirosis risks among high-risk groups.

Shafie, N. J., Abdul Halim, N. S., Nor Zalipah, M., Mohd Amin, N. A. Z., Syed Esa, S. M., Md-Nor, S., Casanovas-Massana, A., Ko, A. I., Palma, F., Neves Souza, F., & Costa, F. (2021). Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices regarding Leptospirosis among Visitors to a Recreational Forest in Malaysia. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 104(4), 1290–1296. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.20-0306