Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the prevalence of sheep scab among communal sheep farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Research (Published online: 07-03-2024)

7. Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the prevalence of sheep scab among communal sheep farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Mandla Yawa, Bukeka Mtenjwa, Ishmael Festus Jaja, Siza Mthi, Nkululeko Nyangiwe, Sive Tokozwayo, Francis Rumosa-Gwaze, Thuthuzelwa Stempa, and Luxolo Qokweni

Veterinary World, 17(3): 558-563

Mandla Yawa: Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Döhne Agricultural Development Institute, Private Bag X15, Stutterheim 4930, South Africa; Department of Livestock and Pasture, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.

Bukeka Mtenjwa: Department of Livestock and Pasture, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.

Ishmael Festus Jaja: Department of Livestock and Pasture, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa; Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa.

Siza Mthi: Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, P.O. Box 112, Queenstown 5320, South Africa.

Nkululeko Nyangiwe: Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Döhne Agricultural Development Institute, Private Bag X15, Stutterheim 4930, South Africa; Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa.

Sive Tokozwayo: Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Döhne Agricultural Development Institute, Private Bag X15, Stutterheim 4930, South Africa.

Francis Rumosa-Gwaze: Ikhala TVET College, Queen Nonesi Campus, Queenstown 5320, South Africa.

Thuthuzelwa Stempa: Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Private Bag X3090, Butterworth 4960, South Africa.

Luxolo Qokweni: Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Private Bag X6012, Port Elizabeth 6001, South Africa.

Background and Aim: Sheep scab is one of the most contagious diseases of sheep found in rural communities worldwide and is a major health and welfare concern for sheep farming. Information on the attitudes of communal farmers to sheep scab remains speculative in the Eastern Cape Province. This study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the prevalence of sheep scab among communal sheep farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Materials and Methods: From June to August 2022, a cross-sectional survey using a semi-structured questionnaire (n = 160) was conducted in two rural communities of the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality in Eastern Cape Province. Purpose sampling was used to obtain respondents’ knowledge, attitudes, and management practices regarding sheep scabs.

Results: Among respondents, 81% were males and 19% were females. The majority of sheep farmers (59%) in both communities were aware of sheep scabs, but the majority (64%) did not receive any farming training. The majority of sheep farmers (65%) believed that sheep scab was the most serious threat to their sheep production since it increased mortality. In the past 3 years, approximately 57% of respondents reported an increase in the prevalence of sheep scab. The majority of farmers reported wool loss as the most noticeable clinical symptom (73%). More than 80% of sheep farmers do not use acaricide on a regular basis. Sixty-one percent of farmers prefer a pour-on topical application method. The frequency of annual dipping was every fortnight (40%), during summer and winter (24%). Most farmers (66%) regularly vaccinate their sheep.

Conclusion: The prevalence of sheep scab is increasing in these communities; however, a better understanding of the factors that facilitate its transmission is required to allow improved management and control of this disease. The government must involve extension officers and distribute them to disseminate information to farmers. Thus, it will be easy to translate the literature into action.

Keywords: communal sheep farmers, Eastern Cape Province, season, sheep scab control methods, sheep scab.

This document is about a research article that assesses the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the prevalence of sheep scab among communal sheep farmers in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Sheep scab is a highly contagious disease that poses a major health and welfare concern for sheep farming in rural communities worldwide.

A survey conducted in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, revealed that the majority of communal sheep farmers were aware of sheep scab and considered it to be the most serious threat to their sheep production due to increased mortality.

Wool loss was the most noticeable clinical symptom reported by farmers, followed by frequent rubbing on fences and walls.

The use of acaricides for sheep scab control was not practiced regularly by the majority of farmers, possibly due to resource limitations and lack of education.

Pour-on topical application was the preferred treatment method, and the frequency of annual dipping varied, with the most common intervals being every fortnight and during the summer and winter seasons. Vaccination of sheep was also practiced by a majority of farmers, with seasonal intervals being the most common.