The Burden of Bovine Tuberculosis on Cattle Farmers in Zambia: A Neglected Tropical Disease With Significant Public Health Implications

Background: In Zambia, Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) remains a major challenge, particularly among smallholder farmers. And livestock farming amounts to a pivotal part of the agricultural economy. The disease not only impacts animal health and productivity but also has far-reaching implications for human health, food safety, and economic stability. Methods: A mixed-methods study, carried out in the districts of Lundazi and Monze in Zambia between December 2021 and June 2022, combined a cross-sectional survey of 280 respondents with qualitative insights from five focus groups and five key informant interviews. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics for quantitative data (R software) and thematic content analysis for qualitative data (Nvivo) Results: Our study indicates that cows infected with Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) experience an average decline in milk production of approximately 3.75 liters, which translates to a substantial economic loss of around ZMW 10.00 per cow, based on an average milk price of ZMW 8.00 per liter (equivalent to an exchange rate of ZMW 18.17 per USD). Our findings also revealed that bTB infection significantly reduced monthly income from livestock farming, with a strong association between bTB impact and decreased income (p < 0.001, OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.997-0.998) . Further, among the education levels, only the primary education level was significantly impacted by bTB (p = 0.002, CI = 1.60-8.23, OR = 3.55). Other education levels were not significantly impacted by bTB; however, the odds of being impacted by bTB were 1.24 times lower compared to other education levels. There were no significant differences in the impact of bTB on the type of occupation (p> 0.05). Our qualitative findings indicate that older individuals, specifically those in the 40-50 and above age category, bear a disproportionate burden of bTB's impact on public health, with a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing adverse effects. Conclusions: Our study reveals true evidence of the significant impact of bTB on cattle farming and public health, with critical implications for policy and practice. It highlights the need for appropriate interventions to address the disproportionate burden of bTB among vulnerable populations, such as older people and those with primary education. By prioritizing bTB control and prevention, we can minimize the economic and health impacts of the disease and promote more sustainable and resilient livestock farming systems.