Abstract

Objective: The study was intended to establish the level of knowledge of small scale milk producers about Bovine tuberculosis which is one of the neglected zoonotic diseases
Methods: In this study, a descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. A total 369 small scale milk producers were interviewed using a pretested interviewer questionnaire. The level of knowledge on Bovine tuberculosis for both male and female small scale milk producers was analysed in relation to membership to cooperative, frequency of tuberculosis tests in cattle, availability of extension services and milk handling and utilisation practices. To ensure validity and eliminate bias of data, the interviews were limited to 3 interviewers. The questionnaires were pre-tested for clarity as well as to avoid confounding questions.

Results: Majority (95%) of small scale milk producers across the study had heard about bovine tuberculosis. The proportion of those who knew that it’s transmittable to humans was low (43.8%). The proportion of those who knew its mode transmission to humans was also low (32.4%). However it was high in milk producers belonging to dairy cooperatives followed by producers in livestock cooperatives.
It was noted that a small proportion of small scale milk producers ensured that their cattle were tested for BTB. Logistical regression showed that there was 73 times likelihood that small scale milk producers belonging to dairy cooperatives will have their cattle tested for BTB.
Conclusion: The study established a low level of knowledge on BTB transmission and prevention. It also concluded that few cattle in the small scale milk production sector get tested for BTB and that the level of knowledge of the milk producers on BTB, in this sector, is associated with this.

Key words: BTB – Bovine tuberculosis HTB – Human tuberculosis TB – Tuberculosis O.I.E – Organisation for International Epiziotics WHO – World Health Organisation