Ullah Zafar, Khan Mehran, Liaqat Iram, Kamran Kashif, Alouffi Abdulaziz, Almutairi Mashal M, Tanaka Tetsuya, Ali Abid
Microbiology Lab, Department of Zoology, Government College University, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan.
Department of Zoology, University of Balochistan Quetta, Quetta 87300, Balochistan, Pakistan.
Vet Sci. 2024 Oct 12;11(10):497. doi: 10.3390/vetsci11100497.
Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose potential health threats to small-scale farmers of grazing animals in the upper highlands of Balochistan, Pakistan. This study was conducted based on a questionnaire survey involving 153 farmers of grazing animals in seven districts to access their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ticks and TBDs. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, based on Fisher's test, were used to assess risk factors for determining preventive measures. The findings revealed a low level of knowledge among the participants. For instance, there was a lack of awareness of the effects of climate change and the economic impact of ticks on animal health. The essential precautions, such as the non-indiscriminate use of acaricides, wearing dark-colored clothing, and limiting children's interaction with grazing animals, were often overlooked. However, the farmers had a positive attitude towards tick control, but they mostly relied on the knowledge of local communities. The neglect of such measures places these farmers and their children at risk of contracting TBDs. This study also indicates minimal involvement from the government in educating farmers and controlling ticks. The role of stakeholders, including the government, non-governmental organizations, veterinary doctors, and local farmer communities, is crucial to address these issues and to implement effective training programs that address misconceptions about ticks and TBDs. Overall, this study highlights the importance of implementing awareness and education programs to address the misconceptions about ticks and TBDs among farmers.
蜱虫及蜱传疾病（TBDs）对巴基斯坦俾路支省高地的小规模放牧动物养殖户构成潜在的健康威胁。本研究基于一项问卷调查开展，该调查涉及七个地区的153名放牧动物养殖户，旨在了解他们对蜱虫及蜱传疾病的知识、态度和做法。基于费舍尔检验的优势比和95%置信区间用于评估确定预防措施的风险因素。研究结果显示参与者的知识水平较低。例如，他们缺乏对气候变化影响以及蜱虫对动物健康的经济影响的认识。一些基本的预防措施，如不随意使用杀螨剂、穿深色衣服以及限制儿童与放牧动物的接触，常常被忽视。然而，养殖户对蜱虫控制持积极态度，但他们大多依赖当地社区的知识。忽视这些措施使这些养殖户及其子女有感染蜱传疾病的风险。这项研究还表明政府在教育养殖户和控制蜱虫方面的参与度极低。包括政府、非政府组织、兽医和当地养殖户社区在内的利益相关者的作用对于解决这些问题以及实施有效的培训项目至关重要，这些培训项目旨在消除对蜱虫及蜱传疾病的误解。总体而言，本研究强调了实施提高认识和教育项目以消除养殖户对蜱虫及蜱传疾病误解的重要性。
