Practice status and precise prevention and control strategies of psittacosis in urban pet pigeons and bird-related population in China

BACKGROUND: Global urbanization intensifies human contact with pet birds, increasing the risk of psittacosis. Using Shenzhen, China, as a case study, this research investigates knowledge and practices related to psittacosis prevention among professionals and pet bird owners, aiming to inform targeted urban zoonotic disease control strategies. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September 2023 to October 2024 in Shenzhen using a self-administered questionnaire. Participants included practitioners in bird/pigeon businesses and household bird keepers. Primary outcomes were knowledge and behavior scores. RESULTS: Among 429 participants, the median total knowledge and practice score was 47.0 (out of 80), with only 13.5% scoring above 60. Practitioners scored significantly higher than pet owners (P < 0.05). Among keepers, the lowest awareness rates were for sources of infection, clinical symptoms, and incubation period (13.2%-22.1%), and the lowest behavior formation rates were for using protective measures, waste disposal, and responding to abnormal symptoms in pigeon and bird (10.9%-15.5%). Multivariate analysis identified key factors influencing scores: among practitioners, being male, having less experience, and lacking health education were associated with lower scores (P < 0.05). Among keepers, being female, higher education, purchasing from breeding bases, keeping multiple species, and prior psittacosis diagnosis predicted higher scores, while older age (> 50) and online bird purchases predicted lower scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The overall psittacosis prevention capacity among bird-keeping populations in Shenzhen is moderate. There is an urgent need for stratified, context-specific interventions including standardized guidance and systematic health education to improve prevention effectiveness in urban settings.