Transboundary and infectious diseases of small ruminants: Knowledge, attitude, and practice of nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralists in northern Iran

Publication date: Available online 20 December 2019Source: Small Ruminant ResearchAuthor(s): A. Jafari-Gh, R.A. Laven, N. Eila, J. Yadi, Z. Hatami, P. Soleimani, S. Jafari-Gh, M. Moazez Lesko, M. Sinafar, E. HeidariAbstractIn Iran, despite attempts by the Iranian Vet Organization (the national veterinary organization) to increase both the vaccination of flocks and the use of precautionary measures to avoid disease outbreaks, outbreaks of transboundary and infectious diseases continue. A lack of farmer knowledge combined with limited appreciation of the importance of disease control and poor practice are likely to be important risk factors for disease spread. Therefore, it is essential to understand farmers’ knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards infectious diseases in order to limit the impact and spread of such diseases.A questionnaire to provide information on sheep and goat farmers’ understanding and KAP towards infectious diseases was designed with assistance from international experts. Calibration sessions and a pilot study were held so that interviewers would ask the questions and record the answers in a consistent manner. One hundred and thirteen farmers from Alborz and Qazvin provinces, located in the North of Iran, were interviewed and their understanding of and KAP towards infectious disease were analysed along with the factors affecting KAP.Farmers’ knowledge was significantly associated with level of literacy and experience, while factors such as tot...
Source: Small Ruminant Research - Category: Zoology Source Type: research