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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.
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Publication Date: 2021-06-16 PubMed ID: 34222399PubMed Central: PMC8245057DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.673442Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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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.

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Citations

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