ECONOMIC AND HEALTH IMPACTS OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS ON RURAL ZAMBIAN COMMUNITIES

ABSTRACT Background Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) is a persistent and significant challenge for cattle farmers in Zambia, especially among rural farmers. As livestock farming constitutes a crucial component of the country’s agricultural economy, the prevalence of bTB threatens not only animal health and productivity but also poses serious risks to human health, food safety, and economic stability within rural communities. Methods A mixed-methods study was conducted in Lundazi and Monze districts of Zambia, between December 2021 and June 2022, combining a cross-sectional survey of 280 respondents with qualitative insights from five focus groups and five key informant interviews. Data analysis was done using the R software for quantitative data and NVivo for qualitative data. Results Our study indicates that cows infected with Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) experience an average decline in milk production of approximately 3.75 liters, which translates to a substantial economic loss of around ZMW 10.00 per cow, based on an average milk price of ZMW 8.00 per liter (equivalent to an exchange rate of ZMW 18.17 per USD). Study findings also revealed that bTB infection significantly reduced monthly income from livestock farming, with a strong association between bTB impact and decreased income. Further, among the education levels, only the primary education level was significantly impacted. Other education levels were not significantly impacted by bTB; however, the odds of being impacted by bTB were lower compared to other education levels. There were no significant differences in the impact of bTB on the type of occupation. Our qualitative findings indicate that rural elderly individuals, specifically those in the 40-50 and above age category, bear a disproportionate burden of bTB’s impact on public health, with a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing adverse effects. Conclusions Our study reveals true evidence of the significant impact of bTB on rural cattle farming, with critical implications for policy and practice. It highlights the need for appropriate interventions to address the disproportionate burden of bTB among vulnerable populations, such as older people and those with primary education. Prioritizing bTB control and prevention can minimize the economic and health impacts of the disease and promote more sustainable and resilient livestock farming systems.