Perceptions and practices among Zambian sheep and goat traders concerning small ruminant health and disease

Abstract

Trade in animals and animal products is a key factor in the transmission of infectious diseases. Livestock traders play an important role in this process, yet there is little knowledge of traders' perceptions of animal disease or their associated actions. The aim of this study was to investigate perceptions and practices of Zambian small ruminant traders with regard to sheep and goat health and disease. It also analysed how existing perceptions and practices might affect risks of disease transmission through trade. A case study was performed at the two largest small livestock markets in Zambia: the Lusaka market in the capital and the Kasumbalesa market near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Semistructured interviews with 47 traders performed in April-May and September 2018 represent the core material. Zambian small ruminant traders frequently trade animals that have clinical signs of disease, either because they appear unaware or indifferent to the associated risks, experience financial constraints or assign responsibility for disease prevention to other value chain actors. In their decision about whether or not to sell a visibly sick small ruminant, traders appear to consider whether the clinical sign is perceived as 'natural' or the result of an illness, whether the buyer is aware of the animal's health condition, and whether the animal is sold for consumption or breeding purposes. Traders appear to regard the veterinary certificate required to transport small ruminants in Zambia as proof of health, placing the responsibility for potential disease in traded animals on the veterinary authorities. In their description of a model trader, taking good care of and being sensitive to customer needs was emphasized, indicating that an efficient way to encourage traders to change their behaviour is to influence customer demands. In contrast to the focus in previous studies on identifying and filling knowledge gaps, the present study show that lack of knowledge is not central to why traders engage in disease-transmitting behaviour. Greater awareness of other reasons for certain perceptions and practices could lead to the formulation of risk communication strategies and mitigation measures that are relevant for the local context, as well as alternative strategies for changing trader behaviour.

Crossing the Line: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Transboundary Animal Diseases Along the Tanzania-Zambia Border

“…At small livestock markets, animals of different species are often kept in proximity under stressful conditions, which facilitates pathogen exposure and spread ( 76 ). Livestock markets have previously been associated with the spread of infectious diseases ( 34 , 77 ), and as traders often bring previously purchased animals with them when moving between villages, thereby allowing them to come into contact with local animals, traders risk contributing to the spread of disease ( 78 ).…”

With or without a Vaccine—A Review of Complementary and Alternative Approaches to Managing African Swine Fever in Resource-Constrained Smallholder Settings

“…These studies in resource-limited settings generally report that implementation of biosecurity is far from fully executed but come to diverging conclusions about what is hindering implementation [ 155 , 156 , 157 , 158 ]. Some report that most smallholders, as well as other stakeholders in the pig production value chain as well as those relating to other species are knowledgeable and aware of existing options for control including biosecurity [ 115 , 159 ], whereas others report knowledge gaps in this regard [ 155 ]. These reported differences might to some extent not represent actual differences in participant knowledge, but rather mirror effects of study design and of researchers’ epistemology and views on local and situated knowledge [ 111 ].…”

“Everything in this world has been given to us from cows”, a qualitative study on farmers’ perceptions of keeping dairy cattle in Senegal and implications for disease control and healthcare delivery

“…An increasing body of research utilizes various social science methods and theories to investigate farmer's perceptions, attitudes and behaviours, how these are constructed and how they change and develop over time [14,18,19,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. Many researchers utilise the lens of Bourdieu's social capital [30] to explore the concept of being a good farmer and how this impacts individual and group behaviour [18,[20][21][22][25][26][27][28][29]. Bourdieu suggests there are three primary forms of capital, these being: economic capital (material and financial property), social capital (networks of social connections and mutual obligations) and cultural capital (prestige, status in the community).…”

“…Whilst there are numerous studies in Europe and New Zealand utilising the good farmer framework, there is a notable lack of such work in Sub Saharan African farming systems where research tends to be predominantly single disease focused and quantitative in nature. Of note are two recent publications which adapt the good farmer framework to examine the perceptions and practices of Zambian sheep and goat traders [ 22 ] and the risk perceptions and management practices of meat inspectors and slaughter workers in Northern Tanzania [ 21 ].…”

“…However, the majority of research within farming populations in Sub Saharan Africa on knowledge, attitudes and practices remain quantitative in nature [12][13][14]. In the past decade the value of social science approaches has been increasingly recognised in animal health and welfare research, as they allow investigating in depth social, economic, historical and cultural factors that shape the contexts within which disease occurs [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Using a social science lens, the boundaries of a study can be expanded to analyse wider dimensions such as economic, political and geographical factors that influence disease occurrence, transmission and measures for control [23].…”