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.

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Background Hepatitis B is a global health problem. Trainees in the health-related fields are exposed to occupational risk of Hepatitis B Virus. In Uganda, there is scarcity of information on vaccination among students in health-care. The objective of this study was to assess hepatitis B vaccination status of the students and factors associated. Methods and findings This was a cross sectional study, conducted at Makerere University College of Health Sciences among undergraduate students who were eligible. A self-report on Hepatitis B vaccination status and various characteristics were collected on each participant, using a standardized structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were computed, bivariate and multivariate analysis were done using Stata 14. Results Out of 760 participants, 44.3% (95% CI 35.2–52.8) reported full vaccination. Vaccination was associated with gender, course, year of study and student’s sponsorship. Males were less likely to be vaccinated, Prevalence Ratio (PR) 0.79; P-value <0.001, while self-sponsored students were also most likely to be vaccinated, PR 2.08; P-value <0.001. About 37% reported an accidental needle injury during their training. Conclusion Full vaccination was low and given the high prevalence of needle injuries, it raises a safety concern. Vaccination should be mandatory for all students prior to clinical exposure. There is need for targeted interventions to increase uptake.

This study assessed the veterinary drug supply chain in Uganda, the constraints faced by the actors, and how the challenges influence the use of antimicrobial (AMs) by livestock farmers. We carried out stakeholder consultation workshops, key informant interviews and a knowledge, practices, and awareness survey with actors of the veterinary drug supply chain. We also profiled drugs stored in 23 urban and peri-urban drug shops in Lira and Mukono districts to record the commonly sold drugs. The veterinary drug supply chain is made of several actors including wholesalers, retailers, Animal Health Service Providers (AHSP) and farmers. Nearly ninety per cent of drug retailers and veterinary practitioners did not receive specialized training in veterinary medicine, and most of veterinary practitioners have been in the drug business market for more than 10 years. Antibiotics and anti-helminthics were the most stocked drugs by retailers, with antibiotics ranking highest in terms of contribution to annual financial profits, accounting for 33%. The choice of a drug by veterinary practitioners was mainly informed by past success with efficacy of the drug, and financial capacity of the client (the farmer) to meet the treatment cost. Many veterinary practitioners were not conversant with veterinary drug policies of the country, with Mukono having a higher number (72%) compared to Lira (37%). Veterinary practitioners from Lira district compared to Mukono and those mainly serving small scale farmers relative to large scale smallholders were more knowledgeable about antibiotics and AMR. Several supply chain constraints were identified as potential drivers of misuse of antibiotics that could contribute to AMR. These included low level of education of supply chain actors, particularly drug retailers, poor handling of drugs at purchase and administration practices, low enforcement of policies and regulations, and lack of awareness of stakeholders about policies that regulate drug use. Thus, future interventions to reduce misuse of AM drugs in livestock production systems in Uganda such as capacity building, should also target veterinary input suppliers, and deliberately involve a strong policy advocacy component.

Les systèmes rudimentaires d’élevage de porcs, non orientés vers le marché, ont été impliqués dans la persistance de la cysticercose a Taenia spp., maladie endémique présentant un grave problème de santé publique en Ouganda. Nous avons étudié la seroprevalence et les principaux facteurs prédisposant de la maladie à Moyo et à Lira, deux districts producteurs de porcs au nord du pays. Des enquêtes sérologiques transversales ont été menées dans 428 élevages porcins (Moyo, 262 ; Lira, 166). Deux porcs adultes étaient gardés en moyenne par troupeau. En milieu rural ils étaient souvent attachés, la divagation étant occasionnelle. Le confinement en enclos était observé en milieu périurbain. Les animaux étaient principalement alimentés avec des résidus de culture et des fourrages pendant la saison des pluies, et des restes d’aliment des ménages et les résidus de culture en saison sèche. La majorité des éleveurs de l’enquête étaient des femmes (55 %) âgées de plus de 45 ans ; 51 % des éleveurs avaient le niveau de l’école primaire. Au total 723 échantillons sériques porcins ont été prélevés (Moyo, 403 ; Lira, 320). Ils ont été analysés pour la détection des antigènes de Taenia spp. en utilisant le test B158C11A10/B60H8A4 Elisa-antigène. La séroprevalence animale totale de l’antigène sérique de Taenia spp. était de 10,4 % (intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 % : 4,9–17,6). Elle a été la plus élevée à Moyo avec 13,2 % (IC a 95 % : 7,1–21,2) vs 6,9 % (IC à 95 % : 2,9–13,9) à Lira. La seroprevalence au niveau du troupeau a été estimée à 13,7 % (CI 95 % : 9,8– 18,5) à Moyo vs 11,4 % (CI 95 % : 7,0–17,2) à Lira. Parmi les 12 variables explicatives évaluées pour l’association avec la seroprevalence observée, seul le district d’origine était significatif (p = 0,01). Les porcs originaires de Lira étaient un facteur protecteur contre la cysticercose a Taenia spp. (odds ratio : 0,54). Ces résultats ont souligné le besoin urgent de mettre en place des mesures de lutte pour minimiser le risque de transmission aux consommateurs de porc dans ces districts.