Knowledge and Practices Related to T. solium Cysticercosis -Taeniasis among Smallholder Farmers in Selected Villages in Kilolo District in Iringa Region in Southern Highlands of Tanzania

Understanding farmers/community knowledge and practices towards T. solium Cysticercosis- Taeniasis is key for successful eradication strategy. This study was carried out in three selected villages in T.solium endemic areas in Southern highlands of Tanzania namely Kihesamgagao, Masege and Lulanzi from Kilolo district in Iringa region. The study aimed at determining farmers' knowledge on T. solium Cysticercosis- Taeniasis, including life-cycle of the parasite and practices related to the infection as well as factors influencing farmers' knowledge on life- cycle of the parasite in the study area. The study was a cross- sectional survey involved 80 randomly selected households with 45 households being pig keepers and 35 being non- pig keepers. Three Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), one in each village were also conducted to gather some qualitative information for the study. Quantitative data were analyzed for descriptive statistics such as percentages, as well as for inferential statistics i.e. ,Chi-square tests using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results from this study indicated substantial proportion of respondents were aware of the problems in their area that can be linked to T. solium infections. The most known problem was Porcine Cysticercosis (75%), followed by Tapeworm in human (Taeniasis) (31.2%) and Epilespy (20%), indicating T. solium infections to be a serious problem in the area. Despite significant portion of the respondents were aware of T. solium related infections in their area, however, there was still a noticeable proportion of respondents (32.5%) who didn't have a proper knowledge on life cycle of T. solium, a situation fueled practices that encourage spread of T. solium infections. Fifteen percent of the surveyed households had no latrines and nearly two- third of pig keepers practiced free range or semi- indoor pig rearing system, practices which allows pig to have access to human faeces and hence continued life-cycle of the parasite. Furthermore, findings from this study indicated that most pig farmers (69%) slaughter their pigs at home in which meat inspection is rarely done or non-existent. Main source of pork meat by majority of respondents was local brew bars/shops where it is served as fried meat and consumed on the spot. It was revealed during Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) that pork meat in local brew bars is sometimes saved undercooked if no close supervision of a frying process, practice which predisposes consumers to the risk of T. solium infections. Several socio- demographic factors were noted to have influence on knowledge on life cycle of T. solium by framers. Male and older respondents/farmers, being from other ethnic groups other than Hehe, as well as more educated farmers were more likely to have a proper knowledge of life-cycle of T. solium than their counterpart. Based on these findings it was recommended that more education to farmers and a community as whole on T. solium infections and its control is needed in the area. For the T. solium eradication strategy/campaigns in the study area to be effective it should put special emphasis on female, younger and less educated farmers, as well as Hehe; that is the less knowledgeable groups.