FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Frontiers in veterinary science2021; 8; 673442; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.673442

Estimating the Economic Impact and Assessing Owners’ Knowledge and Practices of Epizootic Lymphangitis in Equine Cart Animals in Central and South Gondar Zones, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Abstract: Epizootic lymphangitis (EL) is a chronic, contagious, fungal disease of equids. The disease is highly prevalent in cart pulling equines of Ethiopia affecting the livelihood of the cart owning households and welfare of the cart animals. This study estimated the economic impacts of EL and assessed cart owners' knowledge and practices related to the disease in northwest Ethiopia. A multistage cluster sampling approach was implemented to select cart animal owners for the study. A total of 274 cart animal owners were interviewed to collect data for the study. The average annual economic loss per cart owner was estimated at Ethiopian Birr (ETB) 8447. Of this loss, the ETB 4364, 2838, and 1245 were due to mortality, working power loss, and treatment costs, respectively. When the loss was computed only for affected car owners, it was on average ETB 9835 per affected cart owner. The average annual animal level loss was estimated at ETB 6587 per cart animal. Mortality was the largest contributor of the overall economic losses. There was a statistically significant difference in average economic losses per household between study towns ( < 0.05). The knowledge and practice study revealed that 51.2% of the respondents had good knowledge level (knowledge score above the mean score) of EL, but only 45.2% of the respondents had a good practice related to EL. A multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that socio-demographic factors such as educational level and town of residence were significantly associated with EL knowledge level of the respondents ( < 0.05), and on the other hand, knowledge level and residence of the respondents were significantly associated with EL practice level ( < 0.05). The study generally indicates that EL causes significant economic impact on the cart business, but cart owners had insufficient knowledge and poor control and preventive practices to combat the disease. Attention should be accorded to control the disease and reduce its impact on the livelihood of cart owners. As part of the control measure, more awareness creation about the disease and its preventive and management measures for cart owners will very important.
Copyright © 2021 Molla, Fentahun and Jemberu.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2021-06-16 PubMed ID: 34222399PubMed Central: PMC8245057DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.673442Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research estimates the economic impact of Epizootic lymphangitis (EL), a fungal disease affecting equines in Ethiopia, and assesses the knowledge and practices of cart owners related to this disease. The findings show significant economic losses due to EL and inadequate knowledge and control practices among cart owners.

Methodology

  • The study follows multistage cluster sampling to select cart animal owners for participation.
  • A total of 274 cart animal owners were interviewed to gather relevant data.

Economic Impact

  • The average annual economic loss per cart owner was estimated at Ethiopian Birr (ETB) 8447.
  • This loss is broken down into mortality (ETB 4364), working power loss (ETB 2838), and treatment costs (ETB 1245).
  • The loss increased to an average of ETB 9835 per affected cart owner when calculated only for those directly impacted.
  • The average annual loss per cart animal was estimated at ETB 6587.
  • Mortality was the biggest contributor to this overall economic loss.
  • The study found a statistically significant difference in average economic losses per household between different study towns.

Cart Owners’ Knowledge and Practices

  • 51.2% of the respondents demonstrated a good knowledge level of EL, scoring above the mean score.
  • 45.2% of the respondents exhibited a good practice related to EL.
  • The study found significant associations between socio-demographic factors like educational level and town of residence, and the knowledge level about EL.
  • A similar significant association was found between knowledge level and residence, and the level of practice relating to EL.

Implications

  • The study highlights the significant economic impact of EL on the cart business, and points to the owners’ insufficient knowledge and subpar preventive control measures against the disease.
  • It suggests that controlling the disease and reducing its impact on the livelihood of cart owners needs to be a priority.
  • The study further emphasizes the importance of creating better awareness about the disease and teaching more effective preventive and management measures to cart owners.

Cite This Article

APA
Molla AM, Fentahun T, Jemberu WT. (2021). Estimating the Economic Impact and Assessing Owners’ Knowledge and Practices of Epizootic Lymphangitis in Equine Cart Animals in Central and South Gondar Zones, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Front Vet Sci, 8, 673442. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.673442

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 673442
PII: 673442

Researcher Affiliations

Molla, Amsalu Misgie
  • Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mekidela Amba University, Tulu Awulia, Ethiopia.
Fentahun, Tewodros
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Jemberu, Wudu T
  • Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 34 references
  1. Admassu B, Shiferaw Y. Donkeys, Horses and Mules: Their Contribution to People's Livelihoods in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa: The Brooke; (2011).
  2. Asmamaw K, Alemayehu T, Alemayehu R, Bojia E. A preliminary study of the socioeconomic contribution of working equids in Dalocha District, southern Ethiopia. In: Wade JF. editor. 7th International Colloquium on Working Equids. Norfolk: World Horse Welfare; (2014). p. 1–27.
  3. Gina TG, Tadesse BA. The role of working animals toward livelihoods and food security in selected districts of Fafan Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia. Adv Life Sci Technol (2015) 33:88–94.
    doi: 10.7176/ALSTgoogle scholar: lookup
  4. Nigatu A, Abebaw Z. Socioeconomic impact of epizootic lymphangitis on horse- drawn taxi business in central Ethiopia. In: The 6th International Colloquium on Working Equids: Learning from Others. London: The Brooke; (2010). p. 83–86.
  5. Bekele M, Leggese G, Teshome W, Nahom W, Anteneh K, Tewodros T. Socioeconomic impact of epizootic lymphangitis in cart mules in Bahir Dar City, North West Ethiopia. In: Wade JF. editor. The Proceedings of the 7th International Colloquium on Working Equids. London: Royal Holloway, University of London; (2014). p. 10–5.
  6. Scantlebury CE, Zerfu A, Pinchbeck GP, Reed K, Gebreab F, Aklilu N, Mideksa K, Christley R. Participatory appraisal of the impact of epizootic lymphangitis in Ethiopia.. Prev Vet Med 2015 Jul 1;120(3-4):265-76.
    doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.03.012pubmed: 25980831google scholar: lookup
  7. Radostits OM, Gay CC, Hinchicliff KW, Constable PD. Veterinary Medicine: A Text Book of the Diseases of Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Pig and Horses. 10th ed. Edinburgh: Saunders-Elsevier; (2007). p. 1478–80.
  8. OIE. Epizootic Lymphangitis: Terrestrial Manual. Paris: World Animal Health Organization (OIE) (2018). p. 1–8.
  9. Cafarchia C, Figueredo LA, Otranto D. Fungal diseases of horses.. Vet Microbiol 2013 Nov 29;167(1-2):215-34.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.01.015pubmed: 23428378google scholar: lookup
  10. Barrandeguy ME, Carossino M. Infectious diseases in donkeys and mules: an overview and update. J Equine Vet Sci (2018) 65:98–105.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.02.026google scholar: lookup
  11. Ameni G. Epidemiology of equine histoplasmosis (epizootic lymphangitis) in carthorses in Ethiopia.. Vet J 2006 Jul;172(1):160-5.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2005.02.025pubmed: 16772141google scholar: lookup
  12. Meselu D, Abebe R, Mekibib B. Prevalence of epizootic lymphangitis and bodily distribution of lesions in cart-mules in Bahir Dar town, northwest Ethiopia. J Vet Sci Technol (2018) 9:1–4.
    doi: 10.4172/2157-7579.1000509google scholar: lookup
  13. Mesafint M, Ashenafi A, Askale A, Gashaw E. Prevalence, associated risk factors and socioeconomic impact of epizootic lymphangitis in carthorses in and around Gondar Town. J Am Sci (2018) 14:77–83.
    doi: 10.7537/marsjas140218.10google scholar: lookup
  14. Hadush B, Michaelay M, Menghistu HT, Abebe N, Genzebu AT, Bitsue HK, Afera B, Duguma BE, Gugsa G, Ameni G. Epidemiology of epizootic lymphangitis of carthorses in northern Ethiopia using conventional diagnostic methods and nested polymerase chain reaction.. BMC Vet Res 2020 Oct 7;16(1):375.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-020-02582-2pmc: PMC7541241pubmed: 33028302google scholar: lookup
  15. Jones K. Epizootic lymphangitis: the impact on subsistence economies and animal welfare.. Vet J 2006 Nov;172(3):402-4.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2006.06.003pubmed: 16899380google scholar: lookup
  16. Stringer A. Improving animal health for poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods.. Vet Rec 2014 Nov 29;175(21):526-9.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.g6281pubmed: 25431381google scholar: lookup
  17. Molla AM, Jemberu WT, Fentahun T. Epidemiology of epizootic lymphangitis in cart pulling equids in central and south Gondar Zones, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Heliyon (2021).
  18. Gondar Town Structure Plan Preparation Project. Existing Situation Analyses of Physical, Geological and Environmental Characteristics of Gondar Town. Gondar Town Administration Construction, Housing and Urban Development Plan Commission Office. Gondar: (2015).
  19. Gondar Town Azezo and Jan-Tekel Cart Association Office. Recorded Data of the Number of Cart Horses (2018). .
  20. Woreta Town Municipality Office. General Background of Woreta Town. Services Delivery Department, Woreta Town Municipality Office, Woreta; (2018).
  21. Thrusfield M. Veterinary Epidemiology. 3rd ed. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Science Ltd; (2007).
  22. Rushton J. The Economics of Animal Health and Production. Wallingford; Oxfordshire: CABI; (2009).
  23. Bluman AG. Elementary Statistics: A Step by Step Approach. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, Inc. (2009).
  24. Worku T, Wagaw N, Hailu B. Epizootic lymphangitis in cart mules: a community-based clinical trial in Bahir Dar, north-west Ethiopia. In: The 6th International Colloquium on Working Equids: Learning from Others. London: The Brooke; (2010). p. 256–61.
  25. Hadush B, Ameni G, Medhin G. Equine histoplasmosis: treatment trial in cart horses in Central Ethiopia.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2008 Aug;40(6):407-11.
    doi: 10.1007/s11250-007-9099-9pubmed: 18575967google scholar: lookup
  26. Scantlebury CE, Reed K. Epizootic lymphangitis. In: Mair T. editor. Infectious Diseases of the Horse. Ely; Cambridgeshire: EVJ Ltd. (2009). p. 390.
  27. Stringer AP, Christley RM, Bell CE, Gebreab F, Tefera G, Reed K, Trawford A, Pinchbeck GL. Owner reported diseases of working equids in central Ethiopia.. Equine Vet J 2017 Jul;49(4):501-506.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12633pmc: PMC5484383pubmed: 27565130google scholar: lookup
  28. Endebu B, Roger F. Comparative studies on the occurrence and distribution of epizootic lymphangitis and ulcerative lymphangitis in Ethiopia. Int J Appl Res Vet Med (2003) 1:219–23.
  29. Ali A, Ahmed EY, Sifer D. A Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of rabies among residents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ethiop Vet J (2013) 17:19–35.
    doi: 10.4314/evj.v17i2.2google scholar: lookup
  30. Arif S, Thomson PC, Hernandez-Jover M, McGill DM, Warriach HM, Heller J. Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) relating to brucellosis in smallholder dairy farmers in two provinces in Pakistan.. PLoS One 2017;12(3):e0173365.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173365pmc: PMC5354373pubmed: 28301498google scholar: lookup
  31. Makita K, Steenbergen E, Haruta L, Hossain S, Nakahara Y, Tamura Y, Watanabe T, Kadowaki H, Asakura S. Quantitative Understanding of the Decision-Making Process for Farm Biosecurity Among Japanese Livestock Farmers Using the KAP-Capacity Framework.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:614.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00614pmc: PMC7517466pubmed: 33062651google scholar: lookup
  32. Alemayehu G, Mamo G, Desta H, Alemu B, Wieland B. Knowledge, attitude, and practices to zoonotic disease risks from livestock birth products among smallholder communities in Ethiopia.. One Health 2021 Jun;12:100223.
    doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100223pmc: PMC7879039pubmed: 33614884google scholar: lookup
  33. Stringer AP, Bell CE, Christley RM, Gebreab F, Tefera G, Reed K, Trawford A, Pinchbeck GL. A cluster-randomised controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of different knowledge-transfer interventions for rural working equid users in Ethiopia.. Prev Vet Med 2011 Jun 15;100(2):90-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2011.02.001pmc: PMC3149660pubmed: 21420748google scholar: lookup
  34. Stringer AP, Christley RM, Bell CE, Gebreab F, Tefera G, Reed K, Trawford A, Pinchbeck GL. Evaluating the Efficacy of Knowledge-Transfer Interventions on Animal Health Knowledge of Rural Working Equid Owners in Central Ethiopia: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:282.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00282pmc: PMC6256087pubmed: 30515382google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
  1. Bukhari SSUH, Parkes RSV. Assessing the impact of draught load pulling on welfare in equids. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1214015.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1214015pubmed: 37662986google scholar: lookup
  2. Robertson E, Abera C, Wood K, Deressa K, Mesfin S, Scantlebury C. Striving towards access to essential medicines for human and animal health; a situational analysis of access to and use of antifungal medications for histoplasmosis in Ethiopia. PLoS One 2023;18(3):e0278964.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278964pubmed: 36893127google scholar: lookup
  3. Kaba T. Geographical distribution of ixodid ticks and tick-borne pathogens of domestic animals in Ethiopia: a systematic review. Parasit Vectors 2022 Mar 28;15(1):108.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-022-05221-xpubmed: 35346354google scholar: lookup
  4. Duguma BE, Tesfaye T, Kassaye A, Kassa A, Blakeway SJ. Control and Prevention of Epizootic Lymphangitis in Mules: An Integrated Community-Based Intervention, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:648267.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.648267pubmed: 34869708google scholar: lookup
  5. Tariku GD, Biza TD, Tesfaye SK, Kebede SA. Working animal welfare and their multidimensional roles on livelihood improvement in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Anim Welf 2025;34:e2.
    doi: 10.1017/awf.2024.68pubmed: 39935774google scholar: lookup
  6. Derbib T, Daru G, Kehali S, Alemu S. The Role of Working Animals and Their Welfare Issues in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Vet Med Int 2024;2024:7031990.
    doi: 10.1155/vmi/7031990pubmed: 39741791google scholar: lookup
  7. Cornell TR, Fye BL, Nyassi E, Ceesay F, Jallow M, Langendonk RF, Wootton DG, Pinchbeck G, Scantlebury CE. Exploring Histoplasma species seroprevalence and risk factors for seropositivity in The Gambia's working equid population: Baseline analysis of the Tackling Histoplasmosis project dataset. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1444887.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1444887pubmed: 39364262google scholar: lookup
  8. Bukhari SSUH, Parkes RSV, Sneddon LU, McElligott AG. The behavior and welfare of neglected species: some examples from fish and mammals. PeerJ 2024;12:e17149.
    doi: 10.7717/peerj.17149pubmed: 38560452google scholar: lookup
  9. Girma T, Chala G, Mekibib B. Growth inhibitory effect of selected medicinal plants from Southern Ethiopia on the mycelial phase of Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum. BMC Vet Res 2024 Jan 19;20(1):27.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-023-03873-0pubmed: 38243346google scholar: lookup
  10. Bonsi M, Anderson NE, Carder G. The Socioeconomic Impact of Diseases of Working Equids in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Critical Review. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 15;13(24).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13243865pubmed: 38136902google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,727 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.