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Helminthosis and the need of novel anthelmintics in Kiambu County, Kenya
Abstract
Helminthosis in livestock causes losses to farmers in many resource-constrained countries. Due to its high prevalence, farmers aggressively manage the disease using anthelmintics, and this has led to the emergence of drug resistance due to overuse and misuse of anthelmintics. This study investigated the farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices on the control of Helminthosis and the need for novel anthelmintics. The present study was conducted in Kiambu County, Kenya, and involved administering questionnaires to 93 farmers who kept ruminants, mainly cattle, sheep, and goats. Four-fifths (82.8%) of the farmers indicated that Helminthosis was affecting their livestock, and the most common clinical signs observed were loss of body weight, diarrhoea, and loss of haircoat. Around 90% of the respondents dewormed their animals, with 75% of them doing it every three to four months. Treatment was mainly administered by the farmers (58.4%) and animal health providers (36.6%). The majority (96.8%) of the farmers have been using the same anthelmintics for several years, and only 52.8% read the dosage instructions on anthelmintic packaging to determine the correct dosages for their animals. Around 42% of the farmers observed that the anthelmintics they were using on their animals were no longer effective. In addition, more than 83% of the farmers were willing to pay more for a novel anthelmintic that is more effective than the current dewormers in the market. The characteristics of the novel anthelmintic should be effective against resistant nematodes, have fewer side effects, be broad-spectrum, and be able to improve livestock productivity. About 68.8% were willing to pay 10-25% more than the current cost of the current anthelmintics. This study shows that Helminthosis is perceived by farmers as one of the animal health challenges and that their control practices can lead to the emergence of anthelmintic resistance. The study highlights that farmers are willing to purchase novel anthelmintics that are affordable and offer sustainable alternatives to the existing anthelmintics.
