Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Household Economic Losses and Community Knowledge Determine Control Strategies: A Case of Cerebral Coenurosis in Small Ruminants in Northern Tanzania

Jahashi Nzalawahe, Dunia Saidi Mlanzi, Athumani Msalale Lupindu, Helena Ngowi, Mark C. Eisler

Parasitologia · 2024

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Summary

This cross-sectional study of 558 households in two Tanzanian districts quantified substantial economic losses from cerebral coenurosis in sheep and goats, ranging from USD 52.9K to USD 282.9K annually across study sites. Despite nearly 90% awareness of the disease, average knowledge scores were low (36.6%), yet 94% of respondents expressed willingness to participate in and fund control efforts. The findings suggest that education programmes on coenurosis epidemiology and control strategies, combined with existing farmer motivation, could support collaborative disease management.

UK applicability

Cerebral coenurosis is not endemic in the UK and poses minimal risk to domestic small ruminants in temperate climates. However, the methodological approach to quantifying parasitic disease burden and assessing farmer knowledge gaps may be relevant to UK livestock health governance and extension services working on other endemic parasitic diseases.

Key measures

Total annual economic loss (TZS millions and USD equivalents), average annual household financial loss, farmer knowledge scores (out of 16), awareness prevalence (%), attitudes toward control participation and cost-sharing willingness (%)

Outcomes reported

The study quantified annual economic losses from cerebral coenurosis in small ruminants across two Tanzanian districts and assessed farmers' knowledge, attitudes and control practices. It measured household financial losses, knowledge scores, and willingness to participate in disease control interventions.

Theme
Policy, governance & rights
Subject
Animal health & welfare
Study type
Research
Study design
Cross-sectional survey
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Tanzania
System type
Pasture-based livestock
DOI
10.3390/parasitologia4030022
Catalogue ID
BFmou2m4ux-uz1fv2

Topic tags

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