Akpo Yao, Tonouhewa Aretas B N, Alkoiret Traore, Kpodekon Marc T
Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Health and Production (LESPA), University of Parakou, Parakou, Bénin.
Research Unit on Communicable Diseases (URMAT), Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Bénin.
Vet World. 2025 Jun;18(6):1508-1516. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.1508-1516. Epub 2025 Jun 15.
African animal trypanosomiasis (AAT), transmitted by tsetse flies, severely constrains livestock productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. In Benin, limited governmental control initiatives and widespread drug misuse have raised concerns about emerging trypanocidal resistance. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cattle farmers in the Atacora and Donga departments of northern Benin and identify behaviors contributing to the persistence and drug resistance of AAT.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September to December 2024 among 201 cattle farmers selected through stratified random sampling across five districts. Data were collected using a semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire and analyzed with R software employing descriptive statistics and comparative tests (χ, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis).
Awareness of tsetse flies and their role in AAT transmission was high (84%), but only 24% recognized insecticide-based vector control as an effective method. The predominant control strategy involved trypanocides - mainly diminazene aceturate (81%) and isometamidium chloride (71%) - with 99% of participants administering these drugs. Notably, 42% sourced trypanocides from illicit markets, and 22% practiced self-medication. Most farmers (56%) treated their cattle twice yearly, yet 65% failed to observe withdrawal periods, and 59% reported therapeutic failures. Only 12% had received formal training in AAT management.
Despite high disease awareness, poor adherence to recommended control practices and the prevalent misuse of trypanocides, particularly through informal markets, pose serious threats to sustainable AAT management. There is an urgent need for integrated risk communication and policy-driven interventions promoting responsible drug use and vector control in northern Benin.
由采采蝇传播的非洲动物锥虫病（AAT）严重制约了撒哈拉以南非洲地区的畜牧业生产力。在贝宁，政府控制措施有限以及药物滥用现象普遍，引发了人们对锥虫杀灭抗性出现的担忧。本研究旨在评估贝宁北部阿塔科拉省和栋加省养牛户的知识、态度和做法，并确定导致AAT持续存在和产生抗药性的行为。
2024年9月至12月，对通过在五个地区进行分层随机抽样选出的201名养牛户进行了横断面调查。使用经过预测试的半结构化问卷收集数据，并使用R软件进行描述性统计和比较测试（χ检验、曼-惠特尼U检验和克鲁斯卡尔-沃利斯检验）进行分析。
对采采蝇及其在AAT传播中的作用的知晓率很高（84%），但只有24%的人认为基于杀虫剂的病媒控制是一种有效的方法。主要的控制策略是使用锥虫杀灭剂——主要是乙酰氨基阿维菌素（81%）和氯咪巴唑（71%）——99%的参与者使用这些药物。值得注意的是，42%的人从非法市场获取锥虫杀灭剂，22%的人自行用药。大多数农民（56%）每年给牛治疗两次，但65%的人未遵守停药期，59%的人报告治疗失败。只有12%的人接受过AAT管理方面的正规培训。
尽管对疾病的知晓率很高，但对推荐的控制措施依从性差以及锥虫杀灭剂的普遍滥用，尤其是通过非正式市场的滥用，对AAT的可持续管理构成了严重威胁。迫切需要开展综合风险沟通和政策驱动的干预措施，以促进贝宁北部负责任的药物使用和病媒控制。
