Table 2 Knowledge and preventive practices of LFs on infectious causes of reproductive disorders in dairy cows in the Kembata Tambaro zone, southern Ethiopia (n = 278 farmers)
No | Knowledge | n (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Â | Â | Yes (%) | No (%) |
K1 | Heard about RDs in dairy cows | 269 (96.8) | 9 (3.2) |
K2 | RDs affect dairy cow productivity | 171 (63.5) | 98 (36.5) |
K3 | RSIs could cause RDs in dairy cows | 111 (40) | 167 (60) |
K4 | Opinion of LFs on RSIs as cause for RDs: | ||
 Abortion and/or stillbirth | 47 (17.5) | 222 (82.5) | |
 Anoestrus | 2 (0.7) | 267 (99.3) | |
 Repeat breading syndrome | 6 (2.2) | 263 (97.8) | |
 Retained fetal membrane | 10 (3.7) | 279 (96.3) | |
 Dystocia | 6 (2.2) | 263 (97.8) | |
 Prolapse | 40 (15) | 229 (85) | |
K5 | Sires/breeding bulls can be affected by RSIs | 145 (54) | 124 (46) |
K6 | Hiring/sharing breeding bulls can disseminate RSIs | 100 (37) | 169 (63) |
K7 | Ingestion of urine contaminated feeds can transmit RSIs | 73 (27) | 196 (73) |
K8 | Sharing of equipment between milking cows can disseminate RSIs | 89 (33) | 180 (67) |
K9 | RSIs is contagious (can be transmitted between animals) | 102 (38) | 167 (62) |
K10 | Respiratory disease (pneumonia) could be the sign of RSIs | 18 (6.7) | 251 (93.3) |
K11 | Congenital abnormalities (like eye and brain defects) could be the sign of RSIs | 66 (24.5) | 203 (75.5) |
K12 | Disposing aborted fetuses and fetal membranes into the environment could contribute to the spread of RSIs between animals | 153 (57) | 116 (43) |
K13 | Humans can get any infection from animals | 136 (62.5) | 133 (49.5) |
K14 | Collecting the aborted fetuses and fetal membrane with bare hands can expose humans to RSIs | 186 (69) | 83 (31) |
K15 | Eating uncooked meat and/or drinking of raw milk could expose humans to RSIs | 91 (33.8) | 178 (66.2) |
K16 | Hygienic management can prevent RSIs in dairy cows | 153 (57) | 116 (43) |
K17 | Vaccination is an effective way to prevent disease in animals | 137 (51) | 132 (49) |
| Â | Preventive practices | Agree (%) | Disagree (%) |
P1 | I do not hire/share breeding bulls | 89 (33) | 180 (67) |
P2 | I select sires with low percent stillbirth/abortion | 66 (24.5) | 203 (75.5) |
P3 | I avoid sharing calving spaces with other animals | 101 (37.5) | 168 (62.5) |
P4 | I use gloves during calving assistance | 17 (6.3) | 252 (93.7) |
P5 | I use gloves during handling of aborted fetuses and fetal membranes | 125 (46.5) | 144 (53.5) |
P6 | I remove aborted fetuses and fetal membrane immediately after passing | 180 (67) | 89 (33) |
P7 | I always keep cows in a clean and dry shed | 87 (32.3) | 182 (67.7) |
P8 | I avoid mixing of diseased cows with healthy ones | 35 (13) | 234 (87) |
P9 | I disinfect calving place and calving assistance’ equipment | 118 (44) | 151 (56) |
P10 | I maintain adequate feeding per cows | 102 (38) | 167 (62) |
P11 | I always avoid off-farm bedding materials | 21 (7.8) | 248 (92.2) |
P12 | I don’t eat raw/uncooked meat | 102 (38) | 167 (62) |
P13 | I don’t drink raw/unpasteurized milk | 48 (18) | 221 (82) |
P14 | I always participate in animal health trainings | 102 (38) | 167 (62) |
P15 | I always vaccinate animals based on vet’s advice | 91 (33.8) | 178 (66.2) |
P16 | I consult with veterinarian regarding treatment of RDs | 100 (37) | 169 (63) |