Socio-Ecological Determinants of Zoonotic Waste Management Practices Among Urban Livestock Keepers in Dodoma Region, Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Zoonotic diseases pose an escalating public health threat in rapidly urbanizing regions of low- and middle-income countries like Tanzania, where informal livestock keeping frequently intersects with inadequate municipal sanitation. Understanding livestock keepers' biosecurity practices and their underlying socio-ecological determinants is crucial for preventing cross-species disease transmission within a One Health framework, yet empirical evidence remains limited in expanding administrative capitals such as Dodoma Urban. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the socio-ecological determinants and biosecurity practices surrounding zoonotic waste management among livestock keepers in Dodoma Urban, Tanzania. METHODS: A community-based, cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 384 systematically sampled livestock keepers across urban and peri-urban wards. Data were gathered using a pretested, Swahili-translated structured questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed using IBM SPSS (version 27.0) to identify independent predictors of safe waste management practices, controlling for potential confounders, with p ≤ 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 384 livestock keepers participated in the study (mean age: 34.14 ± 7.162 years; 58% male). Overall, only 39.8% (n = 153) demonstrated good zoonotic waste management practices, with 60.9% (n = 234) relying on open dumping/burning and unmonitored waste accumulation. Multivariable modeling revealed that formal training on zoonotic waste management was significantly associated with good practice (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.78; 95% CI: 3.10-12.81; p < 0.001), followed by college/university education (AOR = 5.62; 95% CI: 2.73-10.55; p = 0.001) and vocational training (AOR = 3.11; 95% CI: 1.19-5.75; p = 0.011). Practicing zero-grazing (AOR = 5.23; p = 0.017), keeping poultry (AOR = 3.42; p = 0.010), and utilizing disposal methods like incineration (AOR = 4.11; p = 0.009) or composting pits (AOR = 2.89; p = 0.021) were also significantly associated with good zoonotic waste management practices. CONCLUSION: Safe zoonotic waste management among urban livestock keepers in Dodoma remains critically low. Compliance is driven by a complex interplay of human capital, economic capacity, structural farming paradigms, and digital network engagement. Addressing these vulnerabilities requires moving beyond generic awareness toward multisectoral One Health strategies that combine targeted vocational training, digital health extension (mHealth), infrastructure incentives for zero-grazing, and local governmental biosecurity governance.