Behavioural determinants of livestock farmers and seroprevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants in the subprefecture of Dounet (Mamou), Republic of Guinea

Abstract This study assessed the brucellosis seroprevalence of small ruminants and hazardous practices of contamination in the sub-prefecture of Dounet in Guinea. A survey was carried out among 60 people, mainly livestock farmers, and 192 small ruminants were clinically examined. Ninety serum samples were subjected to the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (I-ELISA). Abortion and sterility were the most commonly observed symptoms, with 73.33% and 18.18%, respectively, for goats, and 81.82% and 26.67% for sheep. Farmers’ knowledge about brucellosis in small ruminants was significantly lower (18.33% [9.9%–30.85%]). Regarding sanitary measures to prevent disease occur-rence, 31.67% [20.60%–45.09%] of the farmers did not apply any specific measures, compared to 55% who applied sanitary measures and 8% who applied quarantine. The results of RBT showed that the overall seroprevalence of brucellosis was 27.77% (25/90) compared to 11.11% (10/90) using I-ELISA (p = 0.008). Female goats were significantly more affected, with a prevalence of 85% (17/20) compared with 20% (3/15) in males (p < 0.001). Bacterial infection did not vary significantly between study sites or age groups. The results of this study confirm that brucellosis is widespread among small ruminants and underline the urgent need for increased surveillance of the disease in all regions of the country.