Dynamics of mastitis and its control in the smallholder dairy system in Jinja district, in Uganda

Abstract

A study was conducted in Jinja district to collect data on the occurrence, risk factors, current control methods of mastitis, drug resistance patterns of bacteria isolates, and also to establish the farmers' knowledge and attitudes towards mastitis and its control. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to obtain data and milk samples screened for mastitis and microbiologically examined for the causative agents and their susceptibility to a selected panel of antibiotics. Mastitis was confirmed as a problem with a high prevalence (61%). A high level of resistance was also found among the isolates. The study revealed that sub-clinical mastitis is the biggest problem, which is reflected in very low milk yields and there are individual farmer variations concerning farming systems, management factors, conditions and possibilities for solutions and control.