Impact of farmer education on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices in southern Tanzania: A case for Taenia solium control

A comparative study was conducted with pre- and post-intervention assessments on the same subjects to evaluate a health education intervention administered to smallholder pig farmers in Iringa Rural (n = 750) and Chunya (n = 700) districts, southern Tanzania. A total of 366 respondents (249 in Iringa Rural, 117 in Chunya) undertook a self assessment questionnaire regarding knowledge on Taenia solium, its impact and mode of transmission, and attitudes towards consumption of infected pork. McNemar and Bhapkar Chi-square P values were computed in SPSS and MH to assess significant differences. The study revealed that health education intervention significantly improved the knowledge and attitudes towards Taenia solium control (P < 0.001) and thus would reduce the consumption of infected pork. It recommends that health education, particularly to women be integrated as an essential component of prevention and control programmes for Taenia solium infections. The Government of Tanzania should revise its pork inspection regulations to include practical ways of controlling porcine cysticercosis.