Participatory Epidemiology of Endemic Bovine Diseases amongest Dasanech and Nyangatom Pastoralists, South Omo Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract A community based cross-sectional study was conducted to validate the existing veterinary knowledge of Dasanech and Nyangatom pastoralists on endemic diseases and to determine their perception of rank, morbidity, and mortality of the disease. The study was conducted among South Omo Pastoralists in Ethiopia from September 2021 to June 2022. Using participatory appraisal methods, 96 informants were included in the study to provide in-depth information. The results showed that Anthrax, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, Trypanosomiasis, Pasteurellosis, and Lumpy Skin Disease were the five most important diseases prioritized in the study areas based on the impact on livelihood. The relative prevalence of these diseases were 18%, 16.5%, 6%, 8.5% and 3.4%, with case fatality rates of 14%, 10.88%, 5.58%, 5.3%, and 2% respectively. The study also revealed that pastoralists had good knowledge of these diseases and their clinical signs. The study showed that the concordance between informant groups, veterinary literatures, and research works showed that Dasanech and Nyangatom pastoralists are knowledgeable about endemic bovine diseases. Therefore, the study recommended that disease control intervention measures in the area should involve the community and consider these diseases.