Perceptions on anthelmintic use and resistance development in goats under communal production systems

Abstract For decades, farmers relied on anthelmintic drug treatments to control gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections, which has led to the development of anthelmintic resistance (AR). The objective of this study was to investigate the perceptions of communal goat farmers regarding anthelmintic...

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Main Authors: Khanyisani Cyril Ndwandwe, Michael Chimonyo, Ana Tsotetsi-Khambule, Munyaradzi Christopher Marufu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Veterinary Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04893-8
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author Khanyisani Cyril Ndwandwe
Michael Chimonyo
Ana Tsotetsi-Khambule
Munyaradzi Christopher Marufu
author_facet Khanyisani Cyril Ndwandwe
Michael Chimonyo
Ana Tsotetsi-Khambule
Munyaradzi Christopher Marufu
author_sort Khanyisani Cyril Ndwandwe
collection DOAJ
description Abstract For decades, farmers relied on anthelmintic drug treatments to control gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections, which has led to the development of anthelmintic resistance (AR). The objective of this study was to investigate the perceptions of communal goat farmers regarding anthelmintic resistance in communal goat flocks. A structured, close-ended questionnaire was used to carry out face-to-face interviews with communal goat farmers (n = 384) across four local municipalities in the uMkhanyakude district. The results showed that elderly farmers were 1.4 times more likely to underdose compared to younger farmers (p < 0.05). Educated farmers were aware of the negative influence on AR development brought by using substandard drugs (p < 0.01) and repetitive use of one drug (p < 0.05). However, lack of professional veterinary assistance (p < 0.01) resulted in more than 65% of elderly farmers underdosing the anthelmintic drugs (p < 0.05) while 68% were using expired drugs (p < 0.05). Despite varying levels of education, most farmers treated goats only showing GIN infection signs (p < 0.05) in their flocks which can potentially delay the AR development. The elderly farmers are less likely to delay the development of AR due to their inability to adhere to the recognized principles of responsible and sustainable drug use. Despite reasonable awareness of AR as a problem in their flocks, communal farmers proved to have poor perceptions regarding the development of AR. This was attributed to old age, illiteracy and under dosing. Engaging veterinarians, farmers and animal health technicians could achieve sustainable management of GIN infections.
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spelling doaj-art-e23aea9efec34262be95fb9965fb1f4e2025-08-20T03:42:57ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-07-0121111010.1186/s12917-025-04893-8Perceptions on anthelmintic use and resistance development in goats under communal production systemsKhanyisani Cyril Ndwandwe0Michael Chimonyo1Ana Tsotetsi-Khambule2Munyaradzi Christopher Marufu3Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of PretoriaDepartment of Agricultural and Rural Engineering, University Road ThohoyandouDepartment of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South AfricaDepartment of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of PretoriaAbstract For decades, farmers relied on anthelmintic drug treatments to control gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections, which has led to the development of anthelmintic resistance (AR). The objective of this study was to investigate the perceptions of communal goat farmers regarding anthelmintic resistance in communal goat flocks. A structured, close-ended questionnaire was used to carry out face-to-face interviews with communal goat farmers (n = 384) across four local municipalities in the uMkhanyakude district. The results showed that elderly farmers were 1.4 times more likely to underdose compared to younger farmers (p < 0.05). Educated farmers were aware of the negative influence on AR development brought by using substandard drugs (p < 0.01) and repetitive use of one drug (p < 0.05). However, lack of professional veterinary assistance (p < 0.01) resulted in more than 65% of elderly farmers underdosing the anthelmintic drugs (p < 0.05) while 68% were using expired drugs (p < 0.05). Despite varying levels of education, most farmers treated goats only showing GIN infection signs (p < 0.05) in their flocks which can potentially delay the AR development. The elderly farmers are less likely to delay the development of AR due to their inability to adhere to the recognized principles of responsible and sustainable drug use. Despite reasonable awareness of AR as a problem in their flocks, communal farmers proved to have poor perceptions regarding the development of AR. This was attributed to old age, illiteracy and under dosing. Engaging veterinarians, farmers and animal health technicians could achieve sustainable management of GIN infections.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04893-8DosingParasite refugiaAnaemiaDemographic factorsFarmer’s attitudes
spellingShingle Khanyisani Cyril Ndwandwe
Michael Chimonyo
Ana Tsotetsi-Khambule
Munyaradzi Christopher Marufu
Perceptions on anthelmintic use and resistance development in goats under communal production systems
BMC Veterinary Research
Dosing
Parasite refugia
Anaemia
Demographic factors
Farmer’s attitudes
title Perceptions on anthelmintic use and resistance development in goats under communal production systems
title_full Perceptions on anthelmintic use and resistance development in goats under communal production systems
title_fullStr Perceptions on anthelmintic use and resistance development in goats under communal production systems
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions on anthelmintic use and resistance development in goats under communal production systems
title_short Perceptions on anthelmintic use and resistance development in goats under communal production systems
title_sort perceptions on anthelmintic use and resistance development in goats under communal production systems
topic Dosing
Parasite refugia
Anaemia
Demographic factors
Farmer’s attitudes
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04893-8
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AT michaelchimonyo perceptionsonanthelminticuseandresistancedevelopmentingoatsundercommunalproductionsystems
AT anatsotetsikhambule perceptionsonanthelminticuseandresistancedevelopmentingoatsundercommunalproductionsystems
AT munyaradzichristophermarufu perceptionsonanthelminticuseandresistancedevelopmentingoatsundercommunalproductionsystems