Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) of Sheep Farmers Regarding Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Tunisia, North Africa
Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are a threat to human and animal health worldwide. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes/practices, and perceptions (KAP) of 86 farmers of extensive sheep farming systems across different agro-ecological areas in Tunisia. The res...
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2024-12-01
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| author | Médiha Khamassi Khbou Syrine Rekik Rihab Romdhane Limam Sassi Felicitas Bergmann Martin H. Groschup Mourad Rekik Mohamed Gharbi |
| author_facet | Médiha Khamassi Khbou Syrine Rekik Rihab Romdhane Limam Sassi Felicitas Bergmann Martin H. Groschup Mourad Rekik Mohamed Gharbi |
| author_sort | Médiha Khamassi Khbou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are a threat to human and animal health worldwide. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes/practices, and perceptions (KAP) of 86 farmers of extensive sheep farming systems across different agro-ecological areas in Tunisia. The response rate was about 91.3%. Overall, 68.5% of the questions referring to knowledge and perceptions were answered correctly. Indeed, about half of the respondents were aware that ticks infest animals, with weight loss given as the major consequence. However, more than half of the farmers were unaware of the transmission and vectorial role of ticks. Those who knew that ticks are vectors cited microbes and icterus as the main concerns. A broad majority of farmers (70.9%) stated that they removed the attached ticks manually and 45.3% crushed them. As acaricides were perceived to be efficient for fighting ticks, according to 97.7% of the sheep farmers, they were used for both the animals and their sleeping areas. Although the toxicity of acaricides is known, 59.3% of the respondents did not use personal protection equipment when applying these products. Taken together, gaps in KAP among sheep farmers were identified. It can be used to better design awareness communication tools for TBPs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-31608f893b9042e386daa40d4708371e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2306-7381 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Veterinary Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-31608f893b9042e386daa40d4708371e2025-01-24T13:51:56ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812024-12-01121210.3390/vetsci12010002Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) of Sheep Farmers Regarding Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Tunisia, North AfricaMédiha Khamassi Khbou0Syrine Rekik1Rihab Romdhane2Limam Sassi3Felicitas Bergmann4Martin H. Groschup5Mourad Rekik6Mohamed Gharbi7Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Zoonoses, and Sanitary Regulation, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, TunisiaLaboratory of Parasitology, Zoonoses, and Sanitary Regulation, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, TunisiaLaboratory of Parasitology, Zoonoses, and Sanitary Regulation, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, TunisiaLaboratory of Parasitology, Zoonoses, and Sanitary Regulation, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, TunisiaFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, GermanyFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, GermanyInternational Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Avenue Hédi Karray, Ariana 2049, TunisiaLaboratory of Parasitology, Zoonoses, and Sanitary Regulation, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, TunisiaTicks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are a threat to human and animal health worldwide. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes/practices, and perceptions (KAP) of 86 farmers of extensive sheep farming systems across different agro-ecological areas in Tunisia. The response rate was about 91.3%. Overall, 68.5% of the questions referring to knowledge and perceptions were answered correctly. Indeed, about half of the respondents were aware that ticks infest animals, with weight loss given as the major consequence. However, more than half of the farmers were unaware of the transmission and vectorial role of ticks. Those who knew that ticks are vectors cited microbes and icterus as the main concerns. A broad majority of farmers (70.9%) stated that they removed the attached ticks manually and 45.3% crushed them. As acaricides were perceived to be efficient for fighting ticks, according to 97.7% of the sheep farmers, they were used for both the animals and their sleeping areas. Although the toxicity of acaricides is known, 59.3% of the respondents did not use personal protection equipment when applying these products. Taken together, gaps in KAP among sheep farmers were identified. It can be used to better design awareness communication tools for TBPs.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/1/2ectoparasitesNorth Africaquestionnaire |
| spellingShingle | Médiha Khamassi Khbou Syrine Rekik Rihab Romdhane Limam Sassi Felicitas Bergmann Martin H. Groschup Mourad Rekik Mohamed Gharbi Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) of Sheep Farmers Regarding Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Tunisia, North Africa Veterinary Sciences ectoparasites North Africa questionnaire |
| title | Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) of Sheep Farmers Regarding Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Tunisia, North Africa |
| title_full | Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) of Sheep Farmers Regarding Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Tunisia, North Africa |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) of Sheep Farmers Regarding Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Tunisia, North Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) of Sheep Farmers Regarding Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Tunisia, North Africa |
| title_short | Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) of Sheep Farmers Regarding Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Tunisia, North Africa |
| title_sort | assessment of the knowledge attitude and perception kap of sheep farmers regarding ticks and tick borne pathogens in tunisia north africa |
| topic | ectoparasites North Africa questionnaire |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/1/2 |
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