Assessing the prevalence of cattle diseases in Buhera district, Zimbabwe

Author

Hlukuzo, F.

Title

Assessing the prevalence of cattle diseases in Buhera district, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of cattle diseases in Buhera District, Zimbabwe, from 2018 to 2024 and evaluate their economic and social impacts on smallholder farmers. The study sought to identify the most common diseases affecting cattle in the district and analyse how these diseases have influenced farmers’ income, food security, and social well being. The research was conducted in response to growing concerns about tick-borne diseases (TBDs) such as theileriosis, heartwater, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis, as well as foot-and mouth disease (FMD), anthrax, and lumpy skin disease (LSD), which continue to threaten livestock productivity in Zimbabwe. By providing insights into disease patterns and their implications for smallholder farmers, the study aimed to inform policy recommendations and improve veterinary interventions. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed, using structured questionnaires and secondary data sources to collect information from a targeted sample of 135 smallholder farmers in Buhera District. The study utilized stratified random sampling to ensure representation across different farming communities. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, and frequencies) and inferential statistics (Chi-square tests) to examine relationships between disease prevalence, demographic characteristics, and socio-economic impacts. The findings revealed that tick borne diseases were the most prevalent, with theileriosis causing up to 80% herd losses, followed by heartwater (30%), anaplasmosis (10%), and babesiosis (3%). The 2024 FMD outbreak recorded 100% morbidity and 5% mortality, while LSD exhibited 20% morbidity and 2% mortality. The results indicated that livestock diseases had severe economic impacts, including significant income losses (M = 4.48, SD = 0.775), high treatment costs (M = 4.31, SD = 0.807), and limited ability to pay for essential needs (M = 4.16, SD = 0.912). Socially, cattle diseases disrupted traditional ceremonies (M = 3.85, SD = 1.197) and contributed to food insecurity (M = 4.12, SD = 1.258). Chi-square tests revealed a significant relationship (p = 0.007) between education level and access to veterinary services, highlighting the role of farmer knowledge in disease management. However, other variables, such as gender and disease prevalence (p = 0.804) and farming experience and ability to afford disease treatment (p = 0.391), showed no significant associations. The study concludes that improving veterinary services, expanding farmer education programs, and implementing subsidized vaccination initiatives are crucial for mitigating disease impacts in Buhera District. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to track disease trends and assess the effectiveness of different disease control strategies over time.

Date

OCTOBER 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

cattle diseases

economic and social impacts

Supervisor

Dr. Nyamushamba