Knowledge, attitude and perception of bovine piroplasmosis by cattle owners in Constantine, North-East of Algeria, using participatory epidemiology

Abstract

Cattle piroplasmoses are tick-borne diseases, spread worldwide that cause significant economic losses. A participatory epidemiological study was conducted individually or in focus groups with 73 cattle owners in Beni Hamidene locality (district of Constantine, Algeria). The aim of this study was to study cattle owners’ knowledge, attitude and perception on cattle piroplasmosis. Proportional piling technique was used to determinate most common cattle diseases, and to evaluate economic impact of diseases according to the interwieved farmers. Theileriosis (49/73; 67.1%) and babesiosis (44/73; 60.3%) were considered the most important bovine diseases. No zoonotic disease was cited by the interviewed cattle owners. According to the majority of cattle owners, theileriosis and babesiosis are deadly diseases (87.3 and 78.1%, respectively). All cattle owners (73/73) cited fever as the most common symptom of tropical theileriosis. Some of them (14/73; 19.2%) do not make distinction between theileriosis and babesiosis. According to cattle owners (65/73; 89.0%), the use of acaricide is the most appropriate tick control method. This study provides information about knowledge on bovine piroplasmoses in Algeria. These information could be considered when performing control programmes by both animal decision-makers and field veterinarians.