PreprintArticleVersion 1Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed
Determinants of Dogs’ Helminth Treatment-Seeking Behavior among Dog Owners in Rural Northern Tanzania: Towards Control of Taenia multiceps, an Emerging Threat to Small Ruminants’ Productivity
Version 1
: Received: 19 February 2024 / Approved: 20 February 2024 / Online: 20 February 2024 (10:30:23 CET)
How to cite:
Kibona, T.; Buza, J.; Shirima, G. Determinants of Dogs’ Helminth Treatment-Seeking Behavior among Dog Owners in Rural Northern Tanzania: Towards Control of Taenia multiceps, an Emerging Threat to Small Ruminants’ Productivity. Preprints2024, 2024021127. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1127.v1
Kibona, T.; Buza, J.; Shirima, G. Determinants of Dogs’ Helminth Treatment-Seeking Behavior among Dog Owners in Rural Northern Tanzania: Towards Control of Taenia multiceps, an Emerging Threat to Small Ruminants’ Productivity. Preprints 2024, 2024021127. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1127.v1
Kibona, T.; Buza, J.; Shirima, G. Determinants of Dogs’ Helminth Treatment-Seeking Behavior among Dog Owners in Rural Northern Tanzania: Towards Control of Taenia multiceps, an Emerging Threat to Small Ruminants’ Productivity. Preprints2024, 2024021127. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1127.v1
APA Style
Kibona, T., Buza, J., & Shirima, G. (2024). Determinants of Dogs’ Helminth Treatment-Seeking Behavior among Dog Owners in Rural Northern Tanzania: Towards Control of <em>Taenia multiceps</em>, an Emerging Threat to Small Ruminants’ Productivity. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1127.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Kibona, T., Joram Buza and Gabriel Shirima. 2024 "Determinants of Dogs’ Helminth Treatment-Seeking Behavior among Dog Owners in Rural Northern Tanzania: Towards Control of <em>Taenia multiceps</em>, an Emerging Threat to Small Ruminants’ Productivity" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1127.v1
Abstract
Taeniid infections pose a significant threat to both animal and public health, as certain tapeworms within this group can also infect humans, potentially leading to severe health conditions. Therefore, this calls for preventive and control measures, such as regular deworming of dogs. While the efficacy of deworming has been established in developed countries, there is a paucity of reported deworming practices in rural areas of developing countries, such as Tanzania. This study aims to understand determinants for helminth treatment-seeking behavior towards control of cestodial taeniid infections in rural settings in northern Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was undertaken in agropastoral and pastoral areas of northern Tanzania. Comprehensive data from household surveys in selected sub-villages were collected to ascertain dog ownership, dog deworming practices, and the availability of dewormers. Analytical methods were employed to discern how various determinants influenced deworming practices among dog owners in these communities.Awareness of dewormers specifically formulated for dogs emerged as a pivotal factor affecting dog deworming practices. Dog owners who were informed about appropriate dog dewormers were nearly two times more likely to engage in deworming compared to those with limited knowledge (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.77 - 4.18, p < 0.001). A majority 32(51.6%, 95% CI: 38.7-64.3) acknowledged accessing dewormers for livestock within their wards. Praziquantel a potent dewormer on cestodes was least known to most dog owners 2(13%, 95% CI: 2.3-41.6). Praziquantel, a potent and common dewormer effective against cestodial taeniid infections, remains relatively unknown in rural areas of northern Tanzania. Therefore, more awareness on appropriate deworming agents against taeniids in dogs should be raised in rural dog-keeping communities.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
