TITLE:
The Financial Costs Associated with Porcine Cysticercosis and Epilepsy in Iringa Rural District
AUTHORS:
Gamba Nkwengulila
KEYWORDS:
Taenia solium, Costs, Porcine, Cysticercosis, Epilepsy
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.6 No.21,
December
24,
2014
ABSTRACT: Taenia solium cysticercosis is a zoonotic disease that poses
serious public health risk and significant economic losses in the pig industry.
Human neurocysticercosis is recognized as an important cause of epilepsy in
regions where T. solium is endemic.
The monetary burden caused by T. solium cysticercosis condemned pigs and epilepsy is under-reported in Tanzania, Iringa
rural district being no exception. The aim of the present study was to estimate
the financial costs associated with porcine cysticercosis (PCC) and epilepsy in
Iringa rural areas. The study employed questionnaires and interviews to explore
the public health and socio-economic impacts of T. solium cysticercosis. A total of 365 randomly selected
participants comprising of 306 pig farmers and 59 families with epileptic
patients were involved in the survey. The findings indicated that the average
selling price was USD 84 for mature pigs and ranged from USD 13 - 27 for
piglets. The estimated annual monetary loss due to PCC was USD 144,449. The
estimated monetary burden due to epilepsy management in hospitals and/or by
traditional healers was USD 78,592 per annum. It is concluded that the monetary
burden incurred by pig farmers due to PCC caused economic loss at both the subsistence
and commercial levels. Yet, epilepsy has serious potential economic impacts
through direct and indirect costs incurred on the management of epileptic
patients from family to national level. It is hence recommended to practice
indoor pig keeping for the elimination of economic losses caused by PCC
infection. There is an urgent need to raise awareness on the economic burden
caused by porcine cysticercosis and epilepsy in Iringa rural district.