Prevalence of sub-clinical mastitis and its association with milking practices in an intensive dairy production region of Uganda

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 82; no. 4; pp. 488 - 493
• Main Authors: MIYAMA, Takeshi, BYARUHANGA, Joseph, OKAMURA, Ikuo, NAGAHATA, Hajime, MURATA, Ryo, MWEBEMBEZI, William, MURAMATSU, Yasukazu, MAKITA, Kohei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 01.04.2020; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: dairy cattle; Farms; hand-milking; Internal Medicine; Mastitis; Milking; milking practice; Risk factors; sub-clinical mastitis; Uganda; Uganda; hand-milking; milking practice; Uganda; dairy cattle; sub-clinical mastitis
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.19-0588

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.