Comparison of veterinary needs of ruminant livestock owners in livestock and non-livestock- producing areas in Ghana

Abstract

This study aimed at comparing the needs of ruminant livestock owners in livestock and non-livestock-producing areas in Ghana for veterinary services. Purposive sampling was used in choosing 200 livestock owners in a livestock-producing area (represented by Tamale and Savelugu-Nanton Districts), and 205 in a non-livestock-producing area (represented by Amansie East District) for administering a questionnaire. The response proportions (93 %) for both locations were excellent. Animal diseases, housing, lack of knowledge on management practices, and lack of drugs were identified as the most important problems in the two locations. Significantly higher proportions of respondents in the livestock-producing area identified advice on health, bathing or spraying against ectoparasites, castration, deworming, meat inspection, treatment for skin diseases, vaccinations, and treatment of wounds as activities that they needed. Significantly higher proportions of respondents in the non-livestock-producing area practised self-medication. The proportion that used veterinary staff to meet their needs was significantly higher in the livestock-producing area compared with that in the non-livestock-producing area. The study found that, generally, the veterinary activities needed were similar in the two locations, but the demand in the livestock-producing area was higher.

Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 38, 2005: 19-38