Use of a Participatory Method for Community-Based Brucellosis Control Design in Agro-Pastoral Areas in Tanzania.

Shingo Asakura,Rudovick Kazwala,Kunda John,George Makingi,Kohei Makita

doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.767198

Shingo Asakura, Rudovick Kazwala + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.767198

Copy DOI

Abstract

Brucellosis is widespread in both humans and livestock in many developing countries. The authors have performed a series of epidemiological studies on brucellosis in agro-pastoral areas in Tanzania since 2015, with the aim of the disease control. Previously, the potential of a community-based brucellosis control initiative, which mainly consisted of the sale of cattle with experience of abortion and vaccinating calves, was assessed as being effective and acceptable based on a quantitative approach. This study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of community-based brucellosis control program using participatory rural appraisals (PRAs) and key-informant interviews. Four PRAs were performed together with livestock farmers and livestock and medical officers in 2017. In the PRAs, qualitative information related to risky behaviors for human infection, human brucellosis symptoms, willingness to sell cattle with experience of abortion, and willingness to pay for calf vaccination were collected, and a holistic approach for a community-based disease control project was planned. All of the communities were willing to implement disease control measures. To avoid human infection, education, especially for children, was proposed to change risky behaviors. The findings of this study showed that community-based disease control measures are promising.

Highlights

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of veterinary, public health and economic importance, especially in developing countries [1]
The officer commented the PRA held as part of this study may contribute to changing this behavior
For farmers who cannot afford to vaccinate all of their calves, we proposed that they only vaccinate new born calves as such a strategy would result in a gradual increase in vaccination coverage as the vaccination continues

Summary

Introduction

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of veterinary, public health and economic importance, especially in developing countries [1]. Brucellosis results in reduced productivity through abortion, infertility and low milk production [2]. Human brucellosis causes flu-like symptoms, including persistent and irregular fever, malaise, arthralgia and other constitutional symptoms, and results in high-cost treatment and loss of income due to loss of working time [3]. The disease can be transmitted through aborted fetus, placenta, milk and semen from infected animals [2]. Consumption of unheated meat and dairy products and contact with infected animals are the main transmission routes [4]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion