6 / 2024-10-02 16:55:17

Awareness levels and attitudes towards bovine tuberculosis on raw milk, and consumption of under-cooked meat among cattle farmers in Africa

Abstract
Background
Awareness of the disease bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is pivotal to cattle farmers, the community, and the nation at large. However, there is scanty information about cattle farmers' awareness about bTB in Zambia and Africa as a whole. Bovine Tuberculosis is one of the diseases which pose a threat to human and animal health causing mortality, morbidity, and economic losses.
Methods
To achieve this, a mixed methods study was conducted in two districts of Zambia from December 2021 to June 2022. A cross-sectional survey involving 280 respondents, five focus group discussions, and five key informant interviews were conducted. Descriptive statistics on the impact of social-demographic factors levels were run using the STATA 12 for analysis
Results
Overall, 75.3% of male and 70.3% of female respondents expressed a poor level of awareness of bTB transmission. Of all the respondents 85.7% of cattle farmers did not have formal education hence their knowledge level were very low. Findings revealed that 99.5% of cattle farmers expressed poor levels of awareness as opposed to the human doctors/clinicians, and veterinary/para-veterinarians who expressed 100% excellent knowledge levels, followed by abattoir workers who expressed a good knowledge of bTB transmission level at 78.3%, whilst cattle businessmen expressed a fair knowledge level at 96.4%. Similarly, qualitative data suggested that bTB awareness differs across occupations. Hence findings indicated that human doctors/clinicians, and veterinary/para-veterinarians were highly knowledgeable about bTB and its transmission across all occupational categories.

Additionally, the survey data indicated that 51.5% of respondents consume raw milk and 57.6% consume undercooked meat. Qualitative interviews also indicated that the attribute of consumption of undercooked meat and raw milk is due to a lack of awareness about the transmission of the disease and poverty to access radios, televisions, and newspapers. Conclusions
Our study findings have reported low levels of awareness and a misperception about the disease among cattle farmers. Further, awareness levels about bTB varied across professionals with some educated ones being more aware of the disease than those not educated. This was affirmed through undercooked meat and milk consumption. Therefore, it is highly paramount to conduct a public health campaign to build public awareness about the causes, sources of infection, and its control. Additionally, cattle farmers' education on hygiene, best meat preparing practices, and unpasteurized milk consumption to mitigate the menace of the disease. Intensify comprehensive surveillance and preventive preparedness considering the identified drivers through the ’One Health’ approach are recommended
Keywords: Awareness levels , Bovine tuberculosis, Raw milk,Under-cooked meat