Socioeconomic Characteristics Influencing Level of Awareness of Aflatoxin Contamination of Feeds among Livestock Farmers in Meru District of Tanzania

Abstract

Aflatoxins occurrence in feeds challenges human and animal health. Farmers' awareness status of these toxins has an effect on their level of exposure. The study assessed the influence of socioeconomic characteristics of farmers on their awareness of aflatoxin contamination of feeds. Data were collected from 258 households and analysed by SPSS program for descriptive statistics and association between socioeconomic characteristics and awareness of aflatoxin contamination of feeds. Over seventy percent of the farmers had never heard about aflatoxins. Education level, specialization, and period of keeping animals had significant influence on aflatoxin awareness. Hearing about aflatoxins was six times higher among farmers who studied life or social sciences than those without specialization and those who studied other fields. Awareness that aflatoxins may occur in feeds was twice higher among farmers with higher education than those with lower education. Perception that aflatoxins in feeds are detoxifiable was threefold higher among young people (with ≤10-year period of keeping animals) than among older ones. Awareness of aflatoxins was particularly low among farmers with low education and those without exposure to life or social sciences and vice versa. Sensitization is recommended to raise farmers' awareness on aflatoxin contamination of feeds and incorporating aflatoxin knowledge in school curricula.

Determinants of knowledge about aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination in sorghum and postharvest practices among caregivers of children aged 6–59 months in Kerio Valley, Kenya

“…Sorting and removing visibly defective panicles and grains is an important critical control point for reducing mycotoxin contamination in farm produce. However, visible grain mold may indicate mycotoxins presence, but still very high levels are possible without any noticeable effect on appearance or smell (Ayo et al., 2018 ). In the present study, caregivers suspected the presence of fungal toxins in sorghum if the grains were discolored, had an off‐smell or bitter taste, and they used these features during panicles or grains sorting.…”

Occurrence and associated factors of aflatoxin M1 in raw cow milk in South Gondar Zone, North West Ethiopia, 2020

“…The study on the farmers’ knowledge of fungal toxins showed that 62% of dairy farmers had never heard of the level of aflatoxin in the milk sample. Low knowledge and unclear concept about aflatoxins are common in many developing countries, which may allow high aflatoxin exposure through contaminated feeds leading to human disease (Ayo et al., 2018 ). Dairy farmers with awareness about the level of aflatoxin in the milk sample may have information on the source and will protect feed and cows from AFB1 exposure and ultimately safeguard milk from contamination.…”

Worldwide aflatoxin contamination of agricultural products and foods: From occurrence to control

“…For instance, A study by Ayo et al. (2018) found that aflatoxin awareness was deficient among uneducated and socially unexposed farmers in Tanzania. Similar low awareness levels are reported from Ethiopia and Uganda (Guchi, 2015; Nakavuma et al., 2020).…”