Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding foot and mouth disease vaccination among cattle farmers in Mukono Central Division, Mukono District

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cattle farmers regarding FMD vaccination in Mukono Central Division, Mukono District. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 158 cattle farmers using a structured questionnaire administered face to face covering, sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of FMD transmission and clinical signs, attitudes towards vaccination, vaccination practices, and barriers to vaccination uptake. All respondents (100%) had heard of FMD and FMD vaccination, The most commonly recognised clinical signs were blisters in the mouth (62.7%), hypersalivation (59.5%). Direct contact with infected animals was the most frequently recognised transmission route. Regarding other susceptible species, most of the farmers knew goats while one quarter did not know other affected species. Only 64 farmers (40.5%) reported that their cattle had been vaccinated, whereas 94 (59.5%) had not. The main reported concerns were vaccination cost and effectiveness. More than half of farmers reported that vaccination services were difficult or very difficult to access, and 66.5% had never received formal training on FMD vaccination or control. All farmers reported that vaccination was conducted only during outbreaks. Vaccination status was significantly associated with farming experience, age, number of cattle owned, knowledge of other susceptible species, perceived vaccine effectiveness, reported vaccination concerns, affordability, accessibility, and response time following disease reporting. The study revealed that while cattle farmers in Mukono Central Division have good general awareness and positive attitudes toward FMD vaccination, actual practice remains low and important gaps in detailed disease knowledge. Vaccination practices were largely outbreak-oriented, while cost, limited access to vaccination services, inadequate training, and concerns about vaccine effectiveness presented important barriers. Addressing these factors through routine farmer education using local languages, practical demonstrations, community-based vaccination campaigns subsiding or farmer-group cost-sharing, and appropriate vaccination schedules. may improve routine vaccination uptake and strengthen sustainable FMD control in Mukono Central Division and similar cattle-producing areas of Uganda.