The knowledge, attitudes, and practices of smallholder cattle farmers concerning the epidemiology of bovine fasciolosis in the North West Province, South Africa

Abstract

Bovine fasciolosis has negative impacts on cattle production worldwide, more so on the African continent and especially in smallholder farming areas with limited level of awareness. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning bovine fasciolosis among smallholder cattle farmers in the North West Province of South Africa. A total of 153 farmers were interviewed from three villages of the Moretele Local Municipality in Bojanala District. The majority of respondents were male (84%) farm owners (81%) that had low education levels (56% primary school or less) and employed extensive cattle management systems (84%). A large number of farms lacked infrastructure including calving pens (88%), restraining equipment (85%), and weight determination equipment (92%) while sourcing drinking water for cattle from rivers or dams (58%). No evaluated factors were significantly associated with a positive fasciolosis epidemiological knowledge score. However, education level (P = 0.046), some cattle breeds (P = 0.022), and management system (P < 0.001) of the smallholder farmers were associated with a positive practice score concerning bovine fasciolosis prevention. We therefore recommend that education programs be introduced that focus on the mode of transmission, risk factors, zoonotic importance, and practices associated with the prevention and control of bovine fasciolosis.

Investigation of Risk Factors for Lumpy Skin Disease and Prevention Practices in Dak Lak, Vietnam, 2021–2022

“…In fact, the youth prefer jobs in big cities while the elderly attach their employment to rural settlements. 20 In our study, we found that the respondents from larger-scale farms had significantly higher knowledge scores, but practice scores were not significantly different. Normally, when the farmers invest more in their livestock production, they should have better understanding of farm management, biosecurity and disease preventive measures.…”

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Bovine Fascioliasis in Northeastern Peru

“…Trematode prevalence has increased worldwide due to climatic variations (Suwannatrai et al, 2017), resistance to anthelmintics (Vineer et al, 2020), and current agricultural practices (Shrestha et al, 2020). Fascioliasis infection is chronic, generating losses in the animal industry due to reduced meat and milk production, bovine fertility (Jaja et al, 2017), and confiscation of livers (Arias-Pacheco et al, 2020), especially in animals raised in extensive systems (Olaogun et al, 2023).…”