Management of diseases in a ruminant livestock production system: a participatory appraisal of the performance of veterinary services delivery, and utilization in Ghana
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Date
2023
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BMC Veterinary Research
Abstract
Introduction Sustainable livestock production remains crucial for the attainment of food security globally and for safeguarding the livelihoods of many households in low- and middle-income countries. However, the high prevalence
of infectious livestock diseases, coupled with inadequate provision and adoption of effective control measures, leads
to reduced livestock productivity, increased animal mortalities, and the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.
This study sought to assess the management strategies employed by farmers for priority diseases affecting their animals and the utilization and performance of veterinary services.
Methods We conducted the study in three districts, namely, Mion, Pru East, and Kwahu Afram Plains South Districts.
which represent the main livestock production belts in Ghana. We used questionnaires in surveys to collect pertinent
data from 350 ruminant livestock farmers and 13 professional veterinary ofcers (VOs) in the study districts. Additionally, we conducted seven focus group discussions (FGDs) with 65 livestock farmers in the study districts. The survey
data was analyzed, and we describe the distribution of the priority livestock diseases, the disease management strategies employed, and the performance of veterinary services in Ghana. We also analyzed the raw FGD transcript texts
deductively based on the study objectives. To validate findings across the different datasets, we used triangulation.
Results Almost all the farmers (98%) reared small ruminants, with about 25% also rearing cattle. The main priority livestock diseases identified includes pestes-des-petits-ruminants and mange infection in sheep and goats.
as well as contagious bovine pleuropneumonia and foot-and-mouth disease in cattle. We found that majority (82%)
of the farmers relied on treatment, while only 20% opted for vaccination services. Additionally, the veterinary system
in Ghana did not adequately regulate the antimicrobial medications employed by farmers to manage diseases. Thus,
In most of the cases, the medicines applied by farmers were not useful for the target diseases. Although our findings show the farmers perceived VOs to perform highly compared to informal providers on most of the attributes
evaluated, including medicine availability and quality, treatment effectiveness, advisory services, service affordability,
and competence, only 33% utilized VOs services. The majority of the farmers (51%) used the services of informal providers, who were better in proximity and popularity with farm
Description
Resaerch Article
Keywords
Diseases management, Ruminant livestock, Performance of veterinary services