Household economic losses and community knowledge determine control strategies: A case of cerebral coenurosis in small ruminants in Northern Tanzania

Abstract Background Cerebral coenurosis is caused by Taenia multiceps and affects sheep and goats worldwide and has zoonotic implications. Information on the financial burden, understanding of the disease and control practices by farmers may inform control strategies. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Babati and Ngorongoro Districts, Tanzania, to determine the economic losses, farmers’ knowledge, attitude and practices on control of Taenia multiceps coenurosis in small ruminants. A structured questionnaire was administered to 558 households to collect data in the study area. Results The study showed that the estimated total annual direct and indirect economic loss encountered for the past one year were TZS 121.4M (USD52.3K), and TZS 1.4M (USD 609.49) for Babati and TZS 642.4M (USD 276.8K) and TZS 14.2M (USD 6.1 K) for Ngorongoro respectively. The total annual loss was TZS 122.8M (USD 52.9K) for Babati and TZS 656.5M (USD 282.9K) for Ngorongoro District. The average annual household financial loss for 2019 was TZS 356.8K (USD 153.83) for Babati and TZS 3.1M (USD1.3K) for Ngorongoro District. The questionnaire revealed that coenurosis was the most common disease of small ruminants to 50.9 - 78% of respondents followed by helminthosis and CCPP. About 85.4 – 96.7% of respondents were aware of coenurosis from their own experience while 0 - 0.6% of the respondents had no knowledge of it at all. Based on a summated index scale, the average knowledge score was 5.85 out of 16 (36.6%) which implies a low level of knowledge on coenurosis. A total of 94.5% of respondents showed willingness to own, coordinate, participate in the control plans and pay the control costs. The average attitude score on 8-point Likert scale was 32.5 out of 40. Respondents sold coenurosis suspected animals (41.4%), slaughtered them for home consumption (25.3%) or opted for treatment (33.3%). Conclusion Given the economic loss, favourable attitude on coenurosis control participation, delivery of an educational package on epidemiology and control of coenurosis to livestock keepers may be expected to trigger a collaborative and sustainable intervention.