Browsing by Author "Johansen, M.V."

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Assessment of livelihoods of smallholder pig keepers in Mbeya rural and Mbozi districts, Mbeya region, Tanzania
(Academe Research Journals, 2014-12) Kamaghe, A.A.S.; Mlozi, R.S.M.; Johansen, M.V.
This study investigated the livelihoods of 98 smallholder farmers keeping pigs in Mbeya rural and Mbozi districts in Mbeya region. The study found that respondents’ characteristics influenced decision making on pig keeping and that pig keeping overall contributed 5-10% of the households’ incomes. Pig keeping in Mbeya and Mbozi rural districts contributed to food provision and to accelerate technology scaling-up. However, two thirds of the respondents reported that they were not satisfied with the pig trade, and less than half of them knew the livestock extension agents, but two thirds said that they were not satisfied with their advisory and service delivery. Less than half of the respondents reported to having access to water for their pigs and in both districts, one third of the respondents indicated to facing problems of presence of pig diseases. This study recommends that livestock extension agents in the two study districts should educate pig keepers on good pig husbandry, assist them to form associations, and help them to find reliable markets for their pigs and secure loans.
Risk factors for prevalence of pig parasitoses in Mbeya Region, Tanzania
(Elsevier, 2015) Kabululu, M.L.; Ngowi, H.A.; Kimera, S.I.; Lekule, F.P.; Kimbi, E.C.; Johansen, M.V.
A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine risk factors for prevalence of common endo- and ectoparasites of pigs kept by smallholder farmers in Mbozi and Mbeya (Rural) districts of Mbeya Region, in Tanzania. A total of 482 pigs from 220 households of 16 villages, eight in each district were randomly selected and examined. Prevalence of Taenia solium cysticercosis was 11.5%, gastrointestinal nematodes 63.7% and ectoparasites 21.2% based on Ag-ELISA, McMaster technique and full body searches/ear scrapings, respectively. Nematode eggs identified were strongyles (Oesophagostomum spp. and Trichostrongylus spp.), Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis and Strongyloides ransomi with prevalence of 57.4%, 17.5%, 5.3% and 1.1%, respectively. Four groups of ectoparasites were identified, i.e. lice (Haematopinus suis), ticks (Rhipicephalus spp., Amblyomma spp., Haemaphysalis spp. and Boophilus spp.), fleas (Ctenocephalides canis) and mites (Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis and Demodex phylloides), with prevalence of 19.1%, 2.1%, 0.4%, and 1.2%, respectively. Pigs in Mbeya (Rural) District had higher odds for porcine cysticercosis (OR = 2.63, 95% CI: [1.22–5.55]). Poor pen hygiene and infrequent antiparasitic treatment were identified to be risk factors for prevalence of nematode infections (OR = 1.95 [1.09–3.52] and OR = 1.78 [1.06–2.94], respectively). The odds for high nematode burdens increased in cases of poor pen hygiene (OR = 4.20 [2.54–6.62]) and poor feed quality (OR = 3.7 [1.66–8.33]). Pigs not treated with antiparasitic drugs within the last three months had higher odds for ectoparasite (OR = 4.0 [1.78–9.09]) and lice infestations (OR = 8.33 [1.96–14.28]) than treated pigs. This study has shown that parasitoses constitute a major burden for smallholder pigs in Mbeya Region and major risk factors included infrequent antiparasitic treatment, poor pen hygiene and poor feed quality. Cost-effective intervention strategies are needed to improve pork production, secure pig welfare and ensure safe pork for human consumption.
Smallholder pig production: prevalence and risk factors of ectoparasites
(ELSEVIER, 2012-12) Braae, U.C.; Ngowi, H.A.; Johansen, M.V.
A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Mbeya Region, Tanzania, with the aim of describing the distribution and diversity of ectoparasites on pigs, within confinement and free-range production systems of smallholder farms. A total of 128 farms were sur- veyed, with 96 practising confinement and 32 practising free-range production systems. The prevalence of ectoparasites on pigs within confinement and free-range production sys- tems was 24% and 84%, respectively. Logistic regression analyses revealed that keeping pigs in a free-range system and the presence of neighbouring pigs were risk factors for ectopara- sites. Within the confinement system, contact with neighbouring pigs and the time interval (in months) since last ectoparasitic treatment were additionally identified as risk factors. The prevalence of Haematopinus suis was 20% in confined pigs and 63% among free-range pigs. Free-ranging of pigs and presence of neighbouring pigs were also identified as risk factors for the presence of lice. Three species of fleas were identified; Tunga penetrans, Echidnophaga gallinacea and Ctenocephalides canis. The prevalence of fleas was 5% and 13% within confined and free-range, respectively. Two pigs (2%) were found infested with Sar- coptes scabiei var. suis. Ticks found belonged to four genera; Amblyomma spp., Rhipicephalus spp., Haemaphysalis spp., and Boophilus spp. The prevalence of hard ticks among the free- range pigs was 50%. Ectoparasites were more prevalent in the free-range system although highly prevalent within both production systems. Keeping pigs in a free-range system and contact with neighbouring pigs were main risk factors for the presence of ectoparasites. Confinement was highly effective as a preventive tool against hard ticks.