The Financial Costs Associated with Porcine Cysticercosis and Epilepsy in Iringa Rural District

Abstract

Taenia solium cysticercosis is a zoonotic disease that poses\rserious public health risk and significant economic losses in the pig industry.\rHuman neurocysticercosis is recognized as an important cause of epilepsy in\rregions where T. solium is endemic.\rThe monetary burden caused by T. solium cysticercosis condemned pigs and epilepsy is under-reported in Tanzania, Iringa\rrural district being no exception. The aim of the present study was to estimate\rthe financial costs associated with porcine cysticercosis (PCC) and epilepsy in\rIringa rural areas. The study employed questionnaires and interviews to explore\rthe public health and socio-economic impacts of T. solium cysticercosis. A total of 365 randomly selected\rparticipants comprising of 306 pig farmers and 59 families with epileptic\rpatients were involved in the survey. The findings indicated that the average\rselling price was USD 84 for mature pigs and ranged from USD 13 - 27 for\rpiglets. The estimated annual monetary loss due to PCC was USD 144,449. The\restimated monetary burden due to epilepsy management in hospitals and/or by\rtraditional healers was USD 78,592 per annum. It is concluded that the monetary\rburden incurred by pig farmers due to PCC caused economic loss at both the subsistence\rand commercial levels. Yet, epilepsy has serious potential economic impacts\rthrough direct and indirect costs incurred on the management of epileptic\rpatients from family to national level. It is hence recommended to practice\rindoor pig keeping for the elimination of economic losses caused by PCC\rinfection. There is an urgent need to raise awareness on the economic burden\rcaused by porcine cysticercosis and epilepsy in Iringa rural district.