Surveys that included 115 interviews were conducted in five villages of Bolikhamxay province, Lao PDR, to assess farmer attitudes regarding their pigs, pig disease, classical swine fever (CSF) and vaccination. Farmers had a strong appreciation of the value of their pigs due to the income they produce for their families. They demonstrated an appreciation of the attributes of a diseased animal and displayed some understanding of the contagious nature of disease. In the minds of pig farmers, CSF is the major disease affecting their pigs although knowledge about the cause was not evident. Fragmented knowledge about the spread and prevention of CSF was present. Even though farmers did not fully understand how a vaccine is able to protect an animal from disease, they were very positive about the outcomes of vaccination. The issue of water provision to pigs was also explored.
展开▼
