Vol. 10, Issue 3, Part B (2025)

Author(s): Sanpha Kallon, Abdul Rahman Sesay, Abdulai Mahmood Conteh and Mahmud E Sesay

Abstract: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious and devastating small ruminant viral disease posing an unbearable threat to livestock development and human welfare. Inadequate knowledge among animal keepers, negative attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) that underestimate the disease severity can facilitate continued spread. This study aimed to assess the KAP of small ruminant farmers towards PPR in selected regions in Sierra Leone. We conducted a cross-sectional KAP survey in selected regions, using a well-structured and pre-tested open- and closed-ended questionnaire with 438 respondents. Overall, most respondents (68.0%) were males and about 64.6% had no formal education. The majority were married (79.9%), average age was 47.9%, and 44.5% had extensive experience in rearing livestock. The main severe diseases reported were PPR (96.3%), skin infection (85.6%), and foot rot (67.4%). From the survey, only a small percentage of farmers (16.5%) knew the causative agent of PPR with other livestock farmers (53.9%) being the most sources of information on PPR. All farmers could at least identify one clinical sign of PPR, including sudden death (95.9%), diarrhea (89.7%), and oral and nasal discharge (88.1%). The introduction of animals from other communities was considered the major source of PPR by 51.6% of farmers, while 42.2% had no knowledge of how it is introduced. The mixing of flocks (90.0%) and common grazing (61.6%) were considered the main route of PPR transmission. Self-treatment (73.3%), including the use of human medicine (28.1%), and selling apparently healthy animals during outbreaks (35.5%) were prevalent practices. While 47.7% were aware of the PPR vaccine, only 20.5% believed in its effectiveness, and just 28.5% vaccinated their animals. A significant proportion (64.8%) lacked trust in PPR vaccination. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted educational campaigns, trust-building initiatives, and the promotion of effective vaccination programs to combat PPR and improve small ruminant health and productivity in Sierra Leone.

DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2025.v10.i3b.2114