Summary
This cross-sectional survey of 558 households in two Tanzanian districts quantifies the economic impact of cerebral coenurosis in small ruminants and characterises farmers' knowledge and willingness to engage in control. Despite nearly 90% awareness of the disease, knowledge scores were low (36.6%), yet 94% of respondents expressed willingness to participate in and fund control interventions. The findings suggest that targeted educational packages on epidemiology and control strategies could support sustainable, community-led disease management.
UK applicability
Cerebral coenurosis has zoonotic implications and affects small ruminant flocks globally, but this study's findings reflect pastoral and smallholder farming systems in semi-arid East Africa. Direct application to UK livestock systems—where disease surveillance and animal welfare regulations differ substantially—would require local epidemiological and socioeconomic validation.
Key measures
Annual household and district-level financial losses (in TZS and USD); knowledge score (out of 16 points); farmer awareness, attitudes and practices regarding coenurosis control; willingness to participate and pay for control
Outcomes reported
The study quantified financial losses from cerebral coenurosis in sheep and goats across two Tanzanian districts and assessed farmers' knowledge, attitudes and control practices. It identified substantial economic burden (USD 52.9–282.9 K annually across districts) and low but actionable knowledge scores (36.6% average) despite high willingness to participate in control interventions.
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