Factors associated with the risk of abortions on dairy cattle farms and their notification by farmers in Algeria.

Abstract

Whether or not the cause is infection, abortions result in major economic losses on Algerian cattle farms. Between September 2014 and February 2016, an epidemiological survey was carried out in the form of direct interviews with 162 dairy cattle farmers in eight wilayas (regions) in the north and centre of Algeria, in order to estimate the prevalence of notification of abortions and to identify the factors that influence notification by farmers. The prevalence of notification of abortions by the farmers interviewed was estimated using a precise binomial distribution. Influencing factors were analysed using a classification tree analysis. It seems from the responses obtained that, 82.1% (confidence interval [CI] 95%: 75.3-87.7%) of farmers call a veterinarian to report when abortions have occurred and for post-abortion follow-up. The classification tree generated from the survey data indicates that the three most predictable variables for notification of abortions are, in order of decreasing importance: the type of cow affected by the abortion (importance of the variable = 100 on a scale of 0 to 100); the wilaya of origin (importance of the variable = 72.7); and the dominant physiological stage (importance of the variable = 42.5). Recommendations were made to improve conditions for the notification of bovine abortions by farmers and their handling in Algeria. These recommendations relate to regular information and awareness campaigns aimed at farmers concerning bovine abortions and the possible repercussions of non-reporting on animal and human health; workshops for farmers, attended by veterinarians, on the appropriate handling of cows that have aborted and post-abortion products (milk, aborted foetuses, placenta and foetal membranes); and the creation of an agricultural fund to compensate farmers for losses incurred due to bovine abortions in the context of notifiable diseases. Finally, there is a reminder of the importance of the effective use of quarantine for all animals newly introduced into herds.