Prevalence of sub-clinical mastitis and its association with milking practices in an intensive dairy production region of Uganda
Takeshi Miyama, Joseph Byaruhanga, Ikuo Okamura, Hajime Nagahata, Ryo Murata, William Mwebembezi, Yasukazu Muramatsu, Kohei Makita
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for sub-clinical mastitis (SCM) in Mbarara District, an intensive dairy production region of Uganda where hand-milking is dominant. In 30 farms, herd-level milking practices and SCM prevalence were studied. The SCM prevalences were 68.6% (417/608, 95% confidence interval (CI): 64.9-72.2%) and 39.2% (946/2,411, 37.3-41.2%) at the cow- and quarter-levels, respectively. A preventive factor for SCM was cow calmness at the end of milking (OR: 0.20, 95%CI: 0.05-0.79, P=0.021); a risk factor was rough teat-end (OR: 1.75, 95%CI: 1.14-2.68, P=0.011). Good cow hygiene was negatively associated with environmental mastitis (P=0.002). Appropriate hand-milking practices that avoid teat damage are expected to reduce SCM in Uganda.