A questionnaire survey of perceptions and preventive measures related to animal health amongst cattle owners of rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
A questionnaire survey of 315 cattle owners from the rural districts of KwaZulu-Natal was carried out. The aim of the survey was to improve our understanding of local farmers' perceptions and practices of animal disease prevention and control and to establish the extent of their relationship with veterinary services. The survey showed that many owners practice preventive measures such as deworming, tick control and vaccination. Traditional medicines were in use by over half the respondents (58.9 %). Diseases are regarded as an important management problem (56.1 %); ticks, worms and diarrhoea dominated the mentioned health problems in cattle. Veterinary services still play an important role and are a frequent source of advice to owners. The findings of the survey and their context are discussed.
Hesterberg
U W
UW
Section of Epidemiology, Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa. u.hesterberg@vla.defra.gsi.gov.uk
Bagnall
R
R
Perrett
K
K
Horner
R
R
Gummow
B
B
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012424:Rural Population; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013983:Tick Control; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary*
D000977:Antiparasitic Agents