Smallholder Pig Farms Research Articles

Using the PRECEDE model to plan a health promotion strategy for control of Taenia solium infections in northern Tanzania

Taenia solium is a zoonotic parasite that may cause serious illnesses in humans, primarily manifested with epileptic seizures. In this article we describe the application of a sound planning model, the PRECEDE model, in order to develop a health promotion strategy for the control of T. solium infections in Mbulu District, northern Tanzania, where the parasite is highly prevalent. During the epidemiological assessment T. solium was identified as a parasite of public health importance in the area. The social assessment revealed that porcine cysticercosis caused by T. solium was indeed an important problem for the smallholder pig farmers. Behavioural and environmental assessment revealed various factors that facilitated the transmission of T. solium in the area, including free ranging pigs, not using pit latrines, eating infected pork and drinking unboiled water. Poor knowledge on the parasite mode of transmission and public health impact and perceived barriers to adoption of better pig management practices were among factors that predisposed people to the behaviours that facilitated the transmission of the parasite. Finally, public extension services in the community were inadequate. Using the PRECEDE model we were able to identify the foci of our intervention based on the principles of importance and changeability. In conclusion, the PRECEDE model is a useful model in the development of public health interventions in the area toward the prevention of infectious diseases.

Prevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies in pigs: implications for human infections in village-based subsistence pig farming in the Lao PDR

We report a high seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in pigs in the Lao PDR. HEV seroprevalence was 51.2% (300/586) amongst abattoir pigs and 15.3% (46/301) amongst village pigs. The age distribution suggested previous in-village HEV pig infections. These findings suggest a zoonotic risk associated with village-based smallholder pig farming.

SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND ECONOMIC FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REEMERGENCE OF TRICHINELLOSIS IN SERBIA: A CASE STUDY

Over the past decade, eastern Europe has experienced a resurgence of trichinellosis. A recent outbreak in Serbia, Yugoslavia, from December 2001 to January 2002, involving 309 people, revealed many of the causes for this reemergence. Epidemiological investigations indicate that the immediate cause of the recent outbreak was the consumption of smoked sausages produced by a small slaughterhouse or meat processor. However, failure of in-house meat inspection procedures and quality assurance as well as oversight by official veterinary control were also responsible. Further analysis of this breakdown in the food safety net revealed additional general factors that have yielded a seriously deficient veterinary control system, and these are factors that are relevant to the problems experienced throughout eastern Europe and other regions. The recent civil war that led to the breakup of the former Federation of Yugoslavia resulted in severe economic and demographic changes, including high inflation and external economic sanctions. This led to (1) the loss of large numbers of experienced veterinary control officers and their replacement with inexperienced personnel, (2) a change in the swine industry with reduction in the number of large establishments with in-house inspection and replacement with more than 1,000 small abattoirs, too small to afford full-time in-house inspection, and (3) an increase in smallholder pig farming with reduced government oversight to ensure high standards in pig-rearing practices (infection risk management). The consequences of these events have been a 300% increase in Serbian pig infection and a concomittant large increase in human outbreaks. Before 1990, swine trichinellosis in Serbia was confined to 4 small districts, but today about one third of the Republic is considered endemic for trichinellosis. The reemergence of trichinellosis in Serbia illustrates the ability of this zoonosis to "leak" through a poorly maintained food safety barrier and the vulnerability of effective veterinary control to national and international events.

98/00480 Electrolyser-based energy management: a means for optimising the exploitation of variable renewable-energy resources in stand-alone applications

Classical swine fever has been negatively impacting pig production in Nusa Tenggara Timur province in eastern Indonesia since its introduction in the 1990s, with live market trade contributing to disease spread. To understand market trader knowledge and practices regarding pig management, biosecurity, pig movements and pig health (specifically CSF), a repeated survey was conducted with pig sellers and pig buyers at 9 market sites across West Timor and the islands of Flores and Sumba. A total of 292 sellers and 281 buyers were interviewed in 2009 during two periods (rounds), a high-demand month (September) and a low-demand month (November). Information was collected via questionnaire. The majority of traders were male (sellers: 89%; buyers: 87%) with the highest level of completed education being primary school (sellers: 48%; buyers: 41%). The primary occupation of most respondents was farming: 90% of sellers and 87% of buyers were smallholder pig farmers and tended to sell their own home-raised pigs at market (52%). Pigs were sold for monetary gain either for primary (52%) or extra income (44%). Markets tended to be selected based on a good reputation (62%), a location close to residence (62%) and having the desired pig type (59%). Pig sales through markets were reported to be highest from August to October with 31% of sellers trading pigs at two or more markets. Prices at market were significantly higher on Sumba compared to West Timor and cross-bred pigs were significantly more expensive than indigenous pigs. Understanding of CSF and biosecurity was limited: 85% of sellers and 83% of buyers had no prior knowledge of CSF. Fifty-four percent of sellers reported no use of any biosecurity practices at market. Most respondents (88%) were able to recognise at least one clinical sign of a sick pig. Informal pig movements were also identified: 18% of pig buyers purchased pigs directly from other farmers. This study has provided baseline information on market trader activities at live pig markets in NTT that can contribute to the formation of sustainable strategies for improving pig health. Since NTT is the poorest province in Indonesia and pigs play a vital socioeconomic role in this province, market management and farmer education is needed to improve the pig market chain and contribute to socioeconomic development.

Feed resource availability and utilization in smallholder pig farms in Sri Lanka

Feed resource availability and utilization in smallholder pig farms in Sri Lanka