Assessment of Farmers’ Knowledge Against Bovine Trypanosomosis in Selected Tsetse Infested Districts of Western Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia

摘要

This study was conducted in Dembecha and Jabitehenan districts of Western Amhara region from February 2017 to January 2018 based on cross sectional study. A questionnaire survey with the objectives of assessing farmers’ knowledge against bovine trypanosomosis was administered randomly to 278 farmers. Most farmers (46.76%) reported that majority of cattle reared in the area were kept mainly for drought power where oxen and sometimes cows used for this purpose. Cattle also used for milk and fattening purpose as source of income. Based on the interview result, animal diseases, insufficient grazing land and scarcity of modern veterinary service were reported to be the major constraints to livestock production. Trypanosomosis was considered by 92% of the respondents as the most economical important cattle disease compared to major top diseases. Most of the respondents (63%) indicated that the cause and transmitters of trypanosomosis is the environment while only 29% respondents considered biting flies are as cause and transmitters of trypanosomosis. Respondents (48%) also explained that the seasonality of the disease and its vectors reach peak level during September to November months of the year. Draft power losses due to sickness of oxen was the most important impact of trypanosomosis for 41.1% of respondents, whereas trypanosomosis induced mortalities and milk loss were the other important impact for 10% and 16% of the respondents respectively. About 98% respondents reported management of the disease mainly through treatment of affected animals with modern trypanocidal drugs.