NRU :: Browsing by Author "Dione, Michel"

Browsing by Author "Dione, Michel"

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African swine fever control and market integration in Ugandan peri-urban smallholder pig value chains: An ex-ante impact assessment of interventions and their interaction
(Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2018) Ouma, Emily; Dione, Michel; Birungi, Rosemirta; Lule, Peter; Mayega, Lawrence; Dizyee, Kanar
Pig production in peri-urban smallholder value chains in Uganda is severely constrained by impact of disease, particularly African swine fever (ASF), and the economic consequences of an inefficient pig value chain. Interventions in the form of biosecurity to control ASF disease outbreaks and pig business hub models to better link smallholder farmers to pig markets have the potential to address the constraints. However, there is a dearth of evidence of the effects of the interventions on performance and distribution of outcomes along the pig value chain. An ex-ante impact assessment utilising System Dynamics model was used to assess the impact of the interventions in peri-urban pig value chains in Masaka district. The results showed that although implementation of biosecurity interventions results in reduction of ASF outbreaks, it also leads to a 6.3% reduction in farmer profit margins per year but more than 7% increase in other value chain actors’ margins. The pig business hub intervention alone results in positive margins for all value chain actors but minimal reduction in ASF outbreaks. When biosecurity and the pig business hub interventions are implemented together, the interaction effects of the interventions result in positive outcomes for both the control of ASF and improvement in farmers’ margins. Farmers may therefore be unwilling to adopt biosecurity practices if implemented alone to control ASF outbreaks unless there is a corresponding financial incentive to compensate for the high costs. This has implications for policy or developing institutions to facilitate cost sharing arrangement among chain actors and/or third party subsidy to provide incentives for producers to adopt biosecurity measures.
Animal health beyond the single disease approach – A role for veterinary herd health management in low-income countries?
(Research in Veterinary Science, 2021) Gertzell, Elin; Magnusson, Ulf; Ikwap, Kokas; Dione, Michel; Lindstrom, Lisa; Eliasson-Selling, Lena; Jacobson, Magdalena
In order to identify and evaluate health related constraints faced by Ugandan pig farmers, a veterinary herd health management approach (VHHM) was applied in 20 randomly selected pig farms in the Lira district, Uganda. Regular herd visits were conducted between July 2018 and June 2019, using e.g. interviews, observations, clinical examinations and laboratory analyzes to gather qualitative and quantitative data on relevant aspects of the production. The pig farmers kept on average 18.6 pigs, including 2.6 sows/year. The production figures varied considerably but were generally poor. The sows produced 1.6 litters/year and 8.2 piglets born alive per litter, the average daily gain was 101 g/day, and the mortality in growers was 9.7%. Four major constraints were identified; poor nutrition, infectious diseases, inferior biosecurity, and poor reproductive management. The quantity and quality of feed was suboptimal. Endo- and ectoparasites were very common, causing diarrhea, bronchitis, pneumonia, skin lesions and pruritus. Post-weaning diarrhea associated with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was important in the two largest herds, and parvoviral antibodies were found in seven herds, two experiencing problems with mummified fetuses. Biosecurity practices were insufficient and inconsistent, with free-ranging pigs and the use of village boars being the major risks. Reproductive figures were affected by poor estrus detection and service management. Overall, farmers lacked important knowledge on good management practices. In conclusion, the VHHM identified several important constraints that should be addressed in order to increase the productivity of Ugandan pig herds.
Characterization of smallholder pig production systems in Uganda: constraints and opportunities for engaging with market systems
(African Association of Agricultural Economics, 2013) Ouma, Emily; Dione, Michel; Lule, Peter; Rosel, Kristina; Pezo, Danilo
Pig production has increasingly become an important activity, especially among smallholder farmers in Uganda in the past three decades as evidenced by a dramatic rise in pig population from 0.19 to 3.2 million. This is linked to the rise in demand for pork due to preference changes among other factors. Per capita consumption of pork has been estimated at 3.4 kg/person/year representing a ten-fold increase in the last 30 years. Pigs are important assets for the poor smallholders in Uganda generating income for meeting planned and emergency household financial needs. Despite its importance, the smallholder pig systems are faced with a number of productivity and market related constraints ranging from diseases, poor nutrition and poorly organized markets. Strong growth opportunities to improve smallholder pig systems exist if the constraints are minimized. However the constraints and opportunities vary among smallholder producers as they are not a homogenous group and are affected by various factors. This paper applies a cluster analysis to characterize smallholder pig production systems into typologies in three districts in Uganda by utilizing village level data from 35 villages. The paper further explores the constraints and opportunities for the different typologies to engage with output and input market systems. The paper concludes that different interventions are necessary to improve market linkages with the smallholder pig production systems due to their varying differences in terms of farmers’ cooperative involvement, institutional linkages and intensification related indicators.
Detection of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in naturally infected pigs in Kamuli District, Uganda
(Revue d’élevage et de médecine vétérinaire des pays tropicaux, 2018) Musewa, Angella; Roesel, Kristina; Grace, Delia; Dione, Michel; Erume, Joseph
Swine erysipelas is an economically significant disease affecting all stages of pork production. The biggest losses may occur in growers-finishers because of sudden death or acute septicemia. Survivors often suffer from chronic lameness, arthritis and endocarditis leading to poor body growth. The causative agent is the ubiquitous bacterium Erysipelothrix (E.) rhusiopathiae, which is also able to enter the skin of people handling infected animals and meat and cause infection. In order to show the presence of E. rhusiopathiae in pigs, serum samples from 426 randomly selected pigs were collected in four subcounties (Bugulumbya, Butansi, Kitayunjwa and Namwendwa) in Kamuli District in Uganda, as part of a multipathogen survey conducted by the International Livestock Research Institute in 2013. Subsequently, 100 samples of fresh pork were collected from all 67-pork slaughterhouses operating in the same subcounties for isolation and bacterial culture. Overall, 308/460 (67%) of the pig sera carried antibodies against E. rhusiopathiae and 45/100 (45%) of the fresh pork samples were contaminated with E. rhusiopathiae. This is the first ever report of E. rhusiopathiae in pigs and pork in Uganda.
Enhancing biosecurity along Uganda’s pig value chains to control and prevent African swine fever
(CGIAR, 2017) Dione, Michel; Nantima, Noelina; Mayega, Lawrence; Amia, Winfred; Wieland, Barbara; Ouma, Emily
African swine fever (ASF) is an important health challenge facing the Ugandan pig sector, causing significant economic losses. While effective control and treatment of ASF are unavailable due to the absence of effective treatment or vaccination, its impact can be minimized through the adoption of biosecurity measures designed to prevent the entry and spread of the disease on farms. In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, local Government of Hoima, Kamuli, Lira, Mukono and Masaka districts, National Livestock Resources Research Institute, Makerere University, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) undertook detailed assessments of the pig value chain in Uganda to document critical areas for intervention and pilot tested practical biosecurity measures for controlling ASF along pig value chains. This brief highlights lessons learnt from these studies.
Enhancing knowledge and awareness of biosecurity practices for control of African swine fever among smallholder pig farmers in four districts along the Kenya–Uganda border
(Tropical animal health and production, 2016) Nantima, Noelina; Davies, Jocelyn; Dione, Michel; Ocaido, Michael; Okoth, Edward; Mugisha, Anthony; Bishop, Richard
A study was undertaken along the Kenya–Uganda border in four districts of Tororo and Busia (Uganda) and Busia and Teso (Kenya) to understand smallholder farmers’ knowledge, practices and awareness of biosecurity measures. Information was collected by administering questionnaires to 645 randomly selected pig households in the study area. In addition, focus group discussions were carried out in 12 villages involving 248 people using a standardized list of questions. The outcome suggested that there was a very low level of awareness of biosecurity practices amongst smallholder farmers. We conclude that adoption of specific biosecurity practices by smallholder farmers is feasible but requires institutional support. There is a clear requirement for government authorities to sensitize farmers using approaches that allow active participation of farmers in the design, planning and implementation of biosecurity practices to enable enhanced adoption.
The Etiology of Pneumonia From Analysis of Lung Aspirate and Pleural Fluid Samples: Findings From the Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health (PERCH) Study
(Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2021) Ebruke, Bernard E.; Deloria Knoll, Maria; Haddix, Meredith; Zaman, Syed M. A.; Prosperi, Christine; Feikin, Daniel R.; Hammitt, Laura L.; Levine, Orin S.; O’Brien, Katherine L.; Murdoch, David R.; Brooks, W. Abdullah; Scott, J. Anthony G.; Kotloff, Karen L.; Madhi, Shabir A.; Thea, Donald M.; Baillie, Vicky L.; Jobayer Chisti, Mohammod; Dione, Michel; Driscoll, Amanda J.; Fancourt, Nicholas; Karron, Ruth A.; Le, Tham T.; Mohamed, Shebe; Moore, David P.; Morpeth, Susan C.; Mwaba, John; Mwansa, James; Sayeem Bin Shahid, Abu Sadat Mohammad; Sow, Samba O.; Tapia, Milagritos D.; Antonio, Martin; Howie, Stephen R. C.
An improved understanding of childhood pneumonia etiology is required to inform prevention and treatment strategies. Lung aspiration is the gold standard specimen for pneumonia diagnostics. We report findings from analyses of lung and pleural aspirates collected in the Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health (PERCH) study. Methods. The PERCH study enrolled children aged 1–59 months hospitalized with World Health Organization–defined severe or very severe pneumonia in 7 countries in Africa and Asia. Percutaneous transthoracic lung aspiration (LA) and pleural fluid (PF) aspiration was performed on a sample of pneumonia cases with radiological consolidation and/or PF in 4 countries. Venous blood and nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs were collected from all cases. Multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and routine microbiologic culture were applied to clinical specimens. Results. Of 44 LAs performed within 3 days of admission on 622 eligible cases, 13 (30%) had a pathogen identified by either culture (5/44) or by PCR (11/29). A pathogen was identified in 12/14 (86%) PF specimens tested by either culture (9/14) or PCR (9/11). Bacterial pathogens were identified more frequently than viruses. All but 1 of the cases with a virus identified were coinfected with bacterial pathogens. Streptococcus pneumoniae (9/44 [20%]) and Staphylococcus aureus (7/14 [50%]) were the predominant pathogens identified in LA and PF, respectively. Conclusions. Bacterial pathogens predominated in this selected subgroup of PERCH participants drawn from those with radiological consolidation or PF, with S. pneumoniae and S. aureus the leading pathogens identified.
Evaluation of Pneumococcal Load in Blood by Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Diagnosis of Pneumococcal Pneumonia in Young Children in the PERCH Study
(Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2017) Deloria Knoll, Maria; Morpeth, Susan C.; Scott, J. Anthony G.; Watson, Nora L.; Park, Daniel E.; Baggett, Henry C.; Brooks, W. Abdullah; Feikin, Daniel R.; Hammitt, Laura L.; Howie, Stephen R. C.; Kotloff, Karen L.; Levine, Orin S.; O’Brien, Katherine L.; Thea, Donald M.; Ahmed, Dilruba; Antonio, Martin; Awori, Juliet O.; Baillie, Vicky L.; Chipeta, James; Deluca, Andrea N.; Dione, Michel; Driscoll, Amanda J.; Higdon, Melissa M.; Jatapai, Anchalee; Karron, Ruth A.; Mazumder, Razib; Moore, David P.; Mwansa, James; Nyongesa, Sammy; Prosperi, Christine; Seidenberg, Phil; Siludjai, Duangkamon; Sow, Samba O.; Tamboura, Boubou; Zeger, Scott L.; Murdoch, David R.; Madhi, Shabir A.
Detection of pneumococcus by lytA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in blood had poor diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing pneumococcal pneumonia in children in 9 African and Asian sites. We assessed the value of blood lytA quantification in diagnosing pneumococcal pneumonia. Methods. The Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health (PERCH) case-control study tested whole blood by PCR for pneumococcus in children aged 1–59 months hospitalized with signs of pneumonia and in age–frequency matched community controls. The distribution of load among PCR-positive participants was compared between microbiologically confirmed pneumococcal pneumonia (MCPP) cases, cases confirmed for nonpneumococcal pathogens, nonconfirmed cases, and controls. Receiver operating characteristic analyses determined the “optimal threshold” that distinguished MCPP cases from controls. Results. Load was available for 290 of 291 cases with pneumococcal PCR detected in blood and 273 of 273 controls. Load was higher in MCPP cases than controls (median, 4.0 × 103 vs 0.19 × 103 copies/mL), but overlapped substantially (range, 0.16–989.9 × 103 copies/mL and 0.01–551.9 × 103 copies/mL, respectively). The proportion with high load (≥2.2 log10 copies/mL) was 62.5% among MCPP cases, 4.3% among nonconfirmed cases, 9.3% among cases confirmed for a nonpneumococcal pathogen, and 3.1% among controls. Pneumococcal load in blood was not associated with respiratory tract illness in controls (P = .32). High blood pneumococcal load was associated with alveolar consolidation on chest radiograph in nonconfirmed cases, and with high (>6.9 log10 copies/mL) nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal load and C-reactive protein ≥40 mg/L (both P < .01) in nonconfirmed cases but not controls. Conclusions. Quantitative pneumococcal PCR in blood has limited diagnostic utility for identifying pneumococcal pneumonia in individual children, but may be informative in epidemiological studies.
Governance structures in smallholder pig value chains in Uganda: constraints and opportunities for upgrading
(International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 2017) Ouma, Emily; Ochieng, Justus; Dione, Michel; Pezo, Danilo
This paper analyses governance structures in Uganda’s smallholder pig value chains by applying the New Institutional Economics framework. It utilises cross sectional and qualitative survey data from randomly selected pig value chain actors in 4 districts. A multinomial logit model is applied to assess the determinants of vertical integration among pig traders. The findings indicate that most relationships at the pig production node of the value chain are based on spot market governance structures supported by personal relationships and trust. Live pig traders are mostly vertically integrated. High integration levels of the pig traders are positively influenced by access to market information, value of investments in the value chain, and dedicated asset specificity in terms of backyard slaughter premises. Upgrading opportunities in the value chain in the form of value addition strategies, policy implementation and promotion of business models that link producer organisations to quality inputs and service suppliers through contractual arrangements are identified.
The importance of on-farm biosecurity: Sero-prevalence and risk factors of bacterial and viral pathogens in smallholder pig systems in Uganda
(Acta tropica, 2018) Dione, Michel; Masembe, Charles; Akola, Joyce; Amia, Winfred; Kungu, Joseph; Leee, Hu Suk; Wieland, Barbara
The productivity of pigs in smallholder systems is affected by high disease burden, most of which might not be obvious, with their epidemiology and impact being poorly understood. This study estimated the seroprevalence and identified the risk factors of a range of bacterial and viral pathogens of potential economic and public health importance in domestic pigs in Uganda. A total of 522 clinically healthy pigs were randomly selected from 276 pig farms in Masaka (142) and Lira (134) districts of Uganda in 2015. Results: Overall the highest animal prevalence was found for Streptococcus suis 73.0% (CI95: 67.0–78.3) in Lira and 68.2% (CI95: 62.7–73.4) in Masaka; followed by Porcine circovirus type 2 with 50.8% (CI95: 44.5–57.2) in Lira and 40.7% (CI95: 35.2–46.5) in Masaka and Actinobacillus pleuro-pneumoniae, 25.6% (CI95: 20.4–31.6) in Lira and 20.5% (CI95: 16.2–25.6) in Masaka. Mycoplasma hyopneumonia prevalence was 20.9% (CI95: 16.2–26.6) in Lira and 10.1% (CI95: 7.1–14.1) in Masaka, while Porcine parvovirus was 6.2% (CI95: 4.0–9.7) in Masaka and 3.4% (CI95: 1.7–6.6) in Lira. Less common pathogens were Influenza A, 8.5% (CI95: 5.6–12.8) in Lira and 2.0% (CI95: 0.9–4.5) in Masaka and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus, 1.7% (CI95: 0.7–4.3) in Lira and 1.3% (CI95: 0.5–3.5) in Masaka. Even less common was Rotavirus A with 0.8% (CI95: 0.2–3.0) in Lira and 0.7% (CI95: 0.2–2.5) in Masaka; the same was for Aujeszky virus with 0.4% (CI95: 0.7–2.4) in Lira and 0.0% (CI95: 0.0-0.1) in Masaka. Co-infection with two pathogens was common and there was a significant association of M. hyo and PCV2 co-occurrence (p=0.016). Multivariate analysis showed that for S. suis the use of disinfectant reduced odds of sero-positivitey (OR=0.15; p=0.017) and pigs less than 6 months were more likely to be infected than older pigs (OR=3.35; p=0.047). For M. hyo, crossbred pigs had higher odd of infection compared to local breeds (OR=1.59; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The studied pathogens have high prevalences in smallholder pig production systems and might be silent killers, thus affecting productivity and there is a possibility that some pathogens could spread to humans. Given the limited knowledge of veterinary workers and the poor diagnostic capacities and capabilities in these systems, the diseases are potentially usually under-diagnosed. These findings constitute baseline data to measure the impact of future interventions aiming to reduce disease burden in the pig production systems in Uganda.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of pork consumers in Uganda
(Global Food Security, 2019) Roesela, Kristina; Ejobi, Francis; Dione, Michel; Pezo, Danilo; Ouma, Emily; Kungu, Joseph; Clausen, Peter-Henning; Grace, Delia
Pig production is thriving in Uganda and the demand for pork is increasing, therefore offering potential for increased income from pig production and marketing. The consumers’ preferences determine and potentially drive this demand but are largely unknown in the context of Uganda. As part of a multi-disciplinary assessment of smallholder pig value chains we investigated these preferences in one of the four thematic subgroups with 292 smallholder pig farmers. In addition, 79 consumers in Kampala, the main pork market outlet in Uganda, were included. Using participatory methods and considering that pig keepers are also consumers, we describe drivers for and taboos around eating pork, the role of pork in peoples’ diets compared to other livestock-derived foods, important attributes when buying pork, the risk of pig feeds competing with human food as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices around pig zoonoses.
A market scoping study for porcine cysticercosis vaccine calls for a one-health approach to sustain the control of the disease in Uganda
(International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), 2019) Dione, Michel; Adeniyi Samuel, Adediran; Colston, Angie; Ouma, Emily; Lule, Peter; Grace, Delia
Pig health is a critical issue in modern Uganda. Not only does the country have the largest pig population in East Africa, it also has the most rapidly growing pig population in sub-Saharan Africa and the highest per capita pork consumption in Eastern Africa (FAOSTAT, 2010). Porcine cysticercosis (PC) is a disease of pigs caused by larval cysts of the human T. solium tapeworm. Pigs are infected when they eat tapeworm eggs shed in the faeces of a human tapeworm carrier. Humans are infected when they eat tissues from pigs that contain larvae (cysticerci). These larvae establish as tapeworms in the human gut and shed eggs in human faeces. However, if humans ingest tapeworm eggs in contaminated food or water, these can establish as cysts in the brain, eye or other tissues and these can have serious consequences such as epilepsy.
MorePork II project Uganda Report of the pig welfare survey in project sites
(International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), 2021) Nsadha, Zachary; Oba, Peter; Dione, Michel; Doyle, Rebecca
The animal health flagship is one of the components of the project ‘Improving pig productivity and incomes through an environmentally sustainable and gender-inclusive integrated intervention package’ (MorePork II) project, which is implemented by partners of the CGIAR Research Program on Livestock (CRP Livestock) in Uganda. The focus of the animal health flagship is to contribute to the delivery of context-specific intervention packages for improving pig productivity in Uganda. As part of the animal health intervention packages for the CRP Livestock integrated project, we designed a tool to assess the current status of pig welfare in project sites. The information collected will be used to guide the design of subsequent interventions to improve overall pig welfare, herd health and productivity. Provision of facilities for domesticated pigs provides good welfare to the pigs and is a key element in pig farming. Pigs attain their fullest potential in growth and productivity if the ambience, feed and treatment provided by the farmers are adequate to meet all physiological needs. This constitutes the adequate welfare of the pig. This pig welfare survey aimed to collect data on what the farmers are providing to the pigs and identify any gaps in relation to animal welfare. The survey revealed that three pig management systems: intensive, semi-intensive and freerange, are practiced in the four project sites in Mukono and Masaka, the intervention sites and in Mpigi and Wakiso, the control sites. However, farms using the free-range system were not included in the survey because pig housing is one of the important aspects considered in the evaluation of pig welfare.
Pig diseases in Uganda: Impacts on pig production, human health and nutrition
(CGIAR, 2016) Dione, Michel; Steinaa, Lucilla; Okoth, Edward; Roesel, Kristina; Wieland, Barbara
Pig keeping is an increasingly important livelihood strategy for rural households in Uganda. Whereas pork accounted for only 1–2% of the 11–12 kg per capita meat consumption in the 1960s, it now accounts for at least one third of the current 10 kg/year (FAOSTAT). The 2008 Livestock Census reported that 1.1 million Ugandan households (17%) kept an average of 1–4 pigs each. Most pigs are kept by smallholder households—managed by women—under extensive systems. The pig value chain was included in the CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish due to the growth potential and competitiveness of small-scale pig production in sub-Saharan Africa. Over the last five years, scientists have significantly enhanced their understanding of the composition, structure and workings of the Uganda pig sector. This brief brings together some of the most compelling evidence and best practices in animal and human health control from research by the Livestock and Fish program in collaboration with the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH).
Pig farming systems and cysticercosis in Northern Uganda
(Revue d’élevage et de médecine vétérinaire des pays tropicaux, 2019) Morison Kungu, Joseph; Masembe, Charles; Apamaku, Michael; Akol, Joyce; Amia, Winfred Christine; Dione, Michel
Rudimentary non-market-oriented pig rearing systems have been implicated in the persistence of Taenia solium cysticercosis, an endemic disease of high public health concern in Uganda. We investigated the seroprevalence and key predisposing factors of the disease in Moyo and Lira, two pig-producing districts in Northern Uganda. Cross-sectional serosurveys were conducted in 428 pig farms (Moyo, 262; Lira, 166). Farmers kept on average two adult pigs per herd. Tethering was a common practice in rural areas; free-ranging less so. Confinement of pigs in pens was characteristic of periurban farming systems. Pigs were mainly fed crop residues and forages in the rainy season, and swill and crop residues in the dry season. The majority of farmers of the survey were women (55%) above 45 years old, and 51% of farmers had attained primary school education. A total of 723 pig serum samples were collected, 403 in Moyo, and 320 in Lira. They were analyzed for Taenia spp. antigens using B158C11A10/B60H8A4 Antigen-ELISA. The overall animal seroprevalence of Taenia spp. serum antigen was 10.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.9–17.6), with 13.2% (95% CI: 7.1– 21.2) the highest in Moyo vs 6.9% (95% CI: 2.9–13.9) in Lira. The herd-level seroprevalence was estimated at 13.7% (95% CI: 9.8–18.5) in Moyo and 11.4% (95% CI: 7.0–17.2) in Lira. Out of 12 explanatory variables assessed for association with the observed seroprevalence, only the district of origin was significant (p = 0.01). Pigs originating from Lira were a protective factor against Taenia spp. cysticercosis (odds ratio: 0.54). These findings highlight the urgent need for an awareness campaign with prevention and control measures to minimize the risk of transmission to pork consumers in these districts.
Prevalence and risk factors for gastrointestinal parasites in small-scale pig enterprises in Central and Eastern Uganda
(Parasitology Research, 2017) Roesel, Kristina; Dohoo, Ian; Baumann, Maximilian; Dione, Michel; Grace, Delia; Clausen, Peter-Henning
In Eastern Africa, small-scale pig keeping has emerged as a popular activity to generate additional household income. Infections of pigs with gastrointestinal helminths can limit production output, increase production costs, and pose zoonotic risks. A cross-sectional, community-based study in three districts in Eastern and Central Uganda examined the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes and associated risk factors in 932 randomly sampled pigs. Using the combined sedimentation-flotation method, 61.4 % (58.2–64.5 %, 95 % confidence interval [CI]) tested positive for one or more gastrointestinal helminths, namely, strongyles (57.1 %, 95 % CI), Metastrongylus spp. (7.6 %, 95 % CI), Ascaris suum (5.9 %, 95 % CI), Strongyloides ransomi (4.2 %, 95 % CI), and Trichuris suis (3.4 %, 95 % CI). Coccidia oocysts were found in 40.7 % of all pigs sampled (37.5–44.0 %, 95 % CI). Significant differences across the three districts were observed for the presence of A. suum (p < 0.001), Metastrongylus spp. (p = 0.001), S. ransomi (p = 0.002), and coccidia oocysts (p = 0.05). All animals tested negative for Fasciola spp. and Balantidium coli. Thirty-five variables were included in univariable analyses with helminth infection as the outcome of interest. A causal model was generated to identify relationships among the potential predictors, and consequently, seven variables with p ≤ 0.15 were included in a multivariable analysis for helminth infection. The final regression models showed that routine management factors had a greater impact on the prevalence of infection than regular, preventive medical treatment or the level of confinement. Factors that negatively correlated with gastrointestinal infection were the routine removal of manure and litter from pig pens (p ≤ 0.05, odds ratio [OR] = 0.667) and the routine use of disinfectants (p ≤ 0.05, OR = 0.548).
Qualitative analysis of the risks and practices associated with the spread of African swine fever within the smallholder pig value chains in Uganda
(Preventive veterinary medicine, 2016) Dione, Michel; Ouma, Emily; Opio, Felix; Kawuma, Brian; Pezo, Danilo
tA study was undertaken between September 2014 and December 2014 to assess the perceptions of smallholder pig value chain actors of the risks and practices associated with the spread of African swine fever (ASF) disease within the pig value chains. Data was collected from 136 value chain actors and 36key informants through 17 group discussions and two key informant interview (KII) sessions respectively using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools.Results from this study revealed that according to value chain actors and stakeholders, the transport-ing, slaughtering, and collecting/bulking nodes represent the highest risk, followed by the inputs andservices (feeds and drugs) supply nodes. The processing, whole sale and consumption nodes represented the lowest risk. Value chain actors are aware of the disease and its consequences to the pig industry,however biosecurity measures are poorly implemented at all nodes. As for the causes, value chain actors pointed to several factors, such as inadequate knowledge of mechanisms for the spread of the disease,poor enforcement of regulations on disease control, and low capacities of actors to implement biosecurity measures, amongst others. Although traders, butchers and veterinary practitioners accepted that they played an important role in the spread of the virus, they did not perceive themselves as key actors in the control of the disease; instead, they believed that only farmers should adopt biosecurity measures on their farms because they keep the pigs for a longer period. Most of the recommendations given by the value chain actors for controlling and preventing ASF disease were short term, and targeted mainly pig producers. These recommendations included: the establishment of live pig collection centres so that traders and brokers do not have to directly access pig farms, capacity building of value chain actors on application of biosecurity, enactment and enforcement of by-laws on live pig movements and establishment of operational outbreak reporting mechanism at district level. Long term recommendations included the development of a vaccine, as well as pen-side diagnostic tests. This study suggests that interventions to control ASF disease through application of biosecurity measures should target all value chain nodes, while putting more emphasis on post-farm nodes especially the trading.
Risk factors associated with occurrence of African swine fever outbreaks in smallholder pig farms in four districts along the Uganda-Kenya border
(Tropical animal health and production, 2015) Nantima, Noelina; Ocaido, Michael; Ouma, Emily; Davies, Jocelyn; Dione, Michel; Okoth, Edward; Mugisha, Anthony; Bishop, Richard
A cross-sectional survey was carried out to assess risk factors associated with occurrence of African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in smallholder pig farms in four districts along Kenya-Uganda border. Information was collected by administering questionnaires to 642 randomly selected pig households in the study area. The study showed that the major risk factors that influenced ASF occurrence were purchase of pigs in the previous year (p<0.000) and feeding of pigs with swill (p<0.024). By employing cluster analysis, three clusters of pig production types were identified based on production characteristics that were found to differ significantly between districts. The most vulnerable cluster to ASF was households with the highest reported number of ASF outbreaks and composed of those that practiced free range at least some of the time. The majority of the households in this cluster were from Busia district in Uganda. On the other hand, the least vulnerable cluster to ASF composed of households that had the least number of pig purchases, minimal swill feeding, and less treatment for internal and external parasites. The largest proportion of households in this cluster was from Busia district Kenya. The study recommended the need to sensitize farmers to adopt proper biosecurity practices such as total confinement of pigs, treatment of swill, isolation of newly purchased pigs for at least 2 weeks, and provision of incentives for farmers to report suspected outbreaks to authorities and rapid confirmation of outbreaks.
Seroprevalence of brucellosis and risk factors associated with its seropositivity in cattle, goats and humans in Iganga District, Uganda
(The Pan African Medical Journal, 2019) Nguna, Joyce; Dione, Michel; Apamaku, Micheal; Majalija, Samuel; Rwabita Mugizi, Denis; Odoch, Terence; Kato, Charles Drago; Tumwine, Gabriel; Kabaasa, John David; Curtis, Kellie; Graham, Michael; Ejobi, Francis; Graham, Thomas
The burden of brucellosis among smallholder farmers is poorly-documented in Uganda. The disease burden is likely to be high, given the high levels of endemicity, lots of exposures and due to lack of control measures. In order to designate appropriate control measures, the magnitude and risk factors for brucellosis need to be known. We established the burden of and risk factors for Brucella seropositivity in cattle, goats, and humans in Iganga district, eastern Uganda. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in in Kigulamo Parish, Iganga District. We enrolled 226 households and administered a structured questionnaire to heads of households to capture data on socio-demographic characteristics, human brucellosis-related risk factors, and livestock farming practices. Human, cattle, and goat blood samples were collected and tested serologically using commercial indirect-ELISA kits manufactured by USDA, USA. Results: of 451 human blood samples, 20 (4.4%) were positive. Among 345 cattle blood samples, 4 (1.2%) were positive and among 351 goat blood samples, one (0.3%) was positive. Persons who reported consuming locally-made dairy products had 4 times higher odds of Brucella seropositivity (OR = 4.0, CI = 1.14-14.03, p = 0.031) than those who did not. None of the risk factors we asked about were significantly associated with seropositivity in cattle and goats. Conclusion: the seroprevalence of brucellosis in humans in smallholder households in Kigulamo was relatively low and associated with consumption of locally made dairy products. No ri sk factors were significantly associated with seropositivity in livestock, likely due to the small number of seropositive animals. We recommend a One Health approach to control brucellosis simultaneously in animals and humans needed to sustainably reduce the burden of brucellosis in Uganda and beyond.
Smallholder pig value-chain assessment in Uganda: Results from producer focus group discussions and key informant interviews
(ILRI Project Report, 2015) Ouma, Emily; Dione, Michel; Lule, Peter; Pezo, Danilo; Marshall, Karen; Roesel, Kristina; Mayega, Lawrence; Kiryabwire, David; Nadiope, Gideon; Jagwe, John
The CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish identified the smallholder pig value chain in Uganda as a highpotential target to translate research into major interventions that stimulate pro-poor transformation and generate benefits at scale. The program began by engaging with research and development partners, analysing the pig value chain and its policy environment as well as characterizing smallholder pig production and marketing practices in Uganda. These activities were done as part of a project entitled ‘Catalysing the emerging smallholder pig value chains in Uganda to increase rural incomes and assets’, which was funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the European Commission (EC).

Browsing by Author "Dione, Michel"

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