Socio-economic and health costs of porcine/human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis and epilepsy to small-scale pig producers in Tanzania

Abstract

Background Porcine cysticercosis, human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis, and epilepsy pose a serious public health risk and lead to economic losses to the small-scale pig farmers in Tanzania’s rural areas. It also resulted in lowering the pig’s prices, high treatment expenses, lower labour productivity, and social discrimination. In Tanzania, small-scale pig producers are unaware of the methods that are used to manage and prevent the diseases associated with Taenia solium. Main body The main goal of the reviewed article was to investigate the socio-economic and health costs of porcine/human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis, and epilepsy on small-scale pig producers in Tanzania. Several search engines yielded 80 peer-reviewed publications, 44 of which were considered to be relevant to the study. Taenia solium cysticercosis has been reported to cause huge financial losses in the management of pigs posing a burden in terms of vaccination and treatment. Conclusion The information on porcine/human cysticercosis, neurocysticercosis, and epilepsy is still insufficient in Tanzania. Poor habits, negative perceptions, and attitudes are the result of this misinformation. This review suggests that health education should be emphasized as one of the intervention methods for eliminating all forms of cysticercosis and epilepsy in Tanzania to promote and increase awareness about all forms of cysticercosis and epilepsy in rural areas.

Global research on cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis: A bibliometric analysis

“…- The transmission models of the T. solium parasite and the animal health control measures represent tools for controlling the disease in humans, as reflected through different works that address food control, education, and health in rural areas, particularly in countries with low resources where this parasitism has a significant economic impact ( 42 ).…”

Effects of a Digital Health Literacy Intervention on Porcine Cysticercosis Prevalence and Associated Household Practices in Iringa District, Tanzania

“…The district predominantly produces pigs on a small scale, and contributes about 15 per cent of the pig population in Tanzania [ 18 ]. Although the pig production industry is known to improve livelihoods [ 20 ], the industry has been affected by porcine cysticercosis [ 9 ]. The present study was conducted from April 2019 to July 2021.…”

“…Taenia solium cysticercosis is one of the important but neglected zoonotic diseases endemic in Africa, Asia and Latin America, with considerable public health and economic impacts [ 4 , 5 ]. The disease is detrimental to human health, since it causes neurocysticercosis that reduces life quality [ 6 , 7 ], and it affects the pig industry by disrupting pork quality, hence reducing income from pig business while creating a threat to public health [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Financial Ratio Analysis as an Advisory Tool for Sustainable Pig Farm Management in Greece

“…These might include disease outbreaks, fluctuations in feed prices, changes in pork prices, and even weather-related challenges [21]. Thus, a financial analysis can help pig farmers in their risk management by determining the potential cost of a disease outbreak compared with the cost of taking preventative measures (vaccines or sanitation practices) [22][23][24][25].…”