Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) of Sheep Farmers Regarding Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Tunisia, North Africa

Abstract

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.

Keywords: North Africa; ectoparasites; questionnaire.

Figure 1

Map of Tunisia, showing in red dots the localities where sheep owners were interviewed [12].

Figure 2

Classification of sheep farmers’ knowledge and perceptions regarding ticks and tick-borne pathogens (the answers are given as percentages among the total answers given for all the knowledge and perception questions). Answers related to knowledge and perception questions were classified as correct or incorrect according to the state of the art.

Figure 3

Classification of sheep farmers’ attitudes and practices regarding ticks and tick-borne pathogens (the answers are given as percentages among the total answers given for all the attitudes and practices questions). Negative attitude was defined as dangerous and/or incorrect behaviour, and positive attitude is defined as not harmful and/or protective behaviour.

Figure 4

Proportions of correct and incorrect answers to knowledge and perception questions (the answers are given as percentages among the total answers given for each question related to the farmers’ knowledge and perception). All questions with the corresponding answers are provided in Supplementary Table S1.

Figure 5

“Positive” and “negative” answers to attitudes and practice questions (the answers are given as percentages among the total answers given for each question related to the farmers’ practices and attitudes). All questions with the corresponding answers are provided in Supplementary Table S1.