Assessment of animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) vulnerability in cattle-owning communities of sub-Saharan Africa.

H R Holt,R Selby,C Mumba,J Guitian,J Guitian,G B Napier

doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1336-5

Abstract

BackgroundAnimal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) is one of the biggest constraints to livestock production and a threat to food security in sub-Saharan Africa. In order to optimise the allocation of resources for AAT control, decision makers need to target geographic areas where control programmes are most likely to be successful and sustainable and select control methods that will maximise the benefits obtained from resources invested.MethodsThe overall approach to classifying cattle-owning communities in terms of AAT vulnerability was based on the selection of key variables collected through field surveys in five sub-Saharan Africa countries followed by a formal Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) to identify factors explaining the variations between areas. To categorise the communities in terms of AAT vulnerability profiles, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) was performed.ResultsThree clusters of community vulnerability profiles were identified based on farmers’ beliefs with respect to trypanosomiasis control within the five countries studied. Cluster 1 communities, mainly identified in Cameroon, reported constant AAT burden, had large trypanosensitive (average herd size = 57) communal grazing cattle herds. Livestock (cattle and small ruminants) were reportedly the primary source of income in the majority of these cattle-owning households (87.0 %). Cluster 2 communities identified mainly in Burkina Faso and Zambia, with some Ethiopian communities had moderate herd sizes (average = 16) and some trypanotolerant breeds (31.7 %) practicing communal grazing. In these communities there were some concerns regarding the development of trypanocide resistance. Crops were the primary income source while communities in this cluster incurred some financial losses due to diminished draft power. The third cluster contained mainly Ugandan and Ethiopian communities which were mixed farmers with smaller herd sizes (average = 8). The costs spent diagnosing and treating AAT were moderate here.ConclusionsUnderstanding how cattle-owners are affected by AAT and their efforts to manage the disease is critical to the design of suitable locally-adapted control programmes. It is expected that the results could inform priority setting and the development of tailored recommendations for AAT control strategies.

Highlights

Animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) is one of the biggest constraints to livestock production and a threat to food security in sub-Saharan Africa
The process of privatisation of veterinary services in many sub-Saharan African countries means that farmers and community animal health workers (CAHW) with limited training are often responsible for the treatment of the disease [3]
In order to optimise the allocation of resources for AAT control, decision makers target geographic areas where control programmes are most likely to be technically, economically, socially and environmentally sustainable and select methods of control that will maximise the benefits obtained from resources invested [6]

Summary

Introduction

Animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) is one of the biggest constraints to livestock production and a threat to food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Tsetse (Glossina spp.) and animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) are an important constraint to livestock production and a threat to food security in sub-Saharan Africa [1]. A high tsetse-trypanosome burden constrains the use of land for livestock production, with farmers in these areas often being more reliant on crop farming. There is no vaccine available for the disease, and reduction in transmission rates is largely reliant on control of the tsetse vector by methods such as insecticide treatment of cattle (ITC), the use of traps or targets, ground or aerial insecticide spraying, or reducing the risk of exposure through changes in livestock management. Trypanosome species, are becoming increasingly resistant to these common-place treatments [4, 5]

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