| dc.description.abstract | Taeniid infections pose a significant threat to both animal and public health, as certain
tapeworms within this group can also infect humans, potentially leading to severe health
conditions. Therefore, this calls for preventive and control measures, such as regular deworming of
dogs. While the efficacy of deworming has been established in developed countries, there is a
paucity of reported deworming practices in rural areas of developing countries, such as Tanzania.
This study aims to understand determinants for helminth treatment-seeking behavior towards
control of cestodial taeniid infections in rural settings in northern Tanzania. A cross-sectional study
was undertaken in agropastoral and pastoral areas of northern Tanzania. Comprehensive data from
household surveys in selected sub-villages were collected to ascertain dog ownership, dog
deworming practices, and the availability of dewormers. Analytical methods were employed to
discern how various determinants influenced deworming practices among dog owners in these
communities. Awareness of dewormers specifically formulated for dogs emerged as a pivotal factor
affecting dog deworming practices. Dog owners who were informed about appropriate dog
dewormers were nearly two times more likely to engage in deworming compared to those with
limited knowledge (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.77 - 4.18, p < 0.001). A majority 32(51.6%, 95% CI: 38.7-64.3)
acknowledged accessing dewormers for livestock within their wards. Praziquantel a potent
dewormer on cestodes was least known to most dog owners 2(13%, 95% CI: 2.3-41.6). Praziquantel,
a potent and common dewormer effective against cestodial taeniid infections, remains relatively
unknown in rural areas of northern Tanzania. Therefore, more awareness on appropriate
deworming agents against taeniids in dogs should be raised in rural dog-keeping communities | en_US |
