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Table 2 Variables selected for inclusion in the MCA, and there classifications

From: Assessment of animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) vulnerability in cattle-owning communities of sub-Saharan Africa

 

Variable

Classification

Exposure

Perceived incidence in the community

Whether the majority of cattle-owners reported AAT challenge as “rare”, “frequent” or “constant”

Seasonality

Whether the majority of cattle-owners reported a seasonal effect of AAT

Sensitivity

Cattle breeds

Whether any cattle-owners owned Bos Indicus (trypanotolerant) or crossbreeds (partial trypanotolerance)

Main cattle rearing systems

Whether farmers in the community were practicing tethering in addition to communal-grazing

Tsetse control present

Whether at least 40 % of cattle-owning households reported existence of any form of tsetse control method in the community

Herd size

Average herd size in the community classified into 3 bins of equal size

Treatment failure

Whether the majority of farmers reported that treatment failure is “never” “rare” or “frequent”

Treatment

Whether farmers report that they treat the disease themselves, or whether they rely on trained animal health workers, veterinary assistants or similar.

Capacity to adapt

Insecticide treated cattle (ITC)

Whether cattle-owning households reported the use of ITC as a measure of tsetse control in the community

Tsetse control present

Whether cattle-owning households reported existence of any tsetse trapping in the community

Farmer knowledge of AAT control

Whether the majority of farmers could recognise a picture of a tsetse trap and/or name tsetse control measures

Losses to draft

Whether the majority of cattle-owning households report that AAT impacts their livelihood due to reductions in draft power

Reported mortalities

Average number of mortalities reported by cattle owning households categorised into three bins

Importance of cattle in the community

Whether the majority of cattle-owning households (>60 %) reported livestock as the primary agricultural income source, or if cropping or mixed farming systems are considered more important