Abstract

Background:
African Swine Fever (ASF) has caused huge losses in the pig farming industry in Vietnam which mostly affect small-scale pig farmers. Due to the lack of information concerning ASF, farmers cannot prevent it and improve their biosecurity towards ASF disease.

Aim:
The overall objective of the current study was to assess the influence of sociodemographic and production characteristics on knowledge towards ASF-related information and ASF prevention practices.

Methods:
A random sampling method was used to select respondents. Thus, 204 pig farms in Ben Tre province were selected. Data were analyzed using a descriptive method and multiple linear regression analysis.

Results:
The results showed that most of farmers were male and joined in farm activities with 1-2 family members who had high experience in pig farming. Farmers had gained knowledge about ASF and had applied effective prevention measures on their farms. Besides, primary occupation and piglet source and exerted a significant effect on both of the knowledge of ASF and also the prevention ability. General livestock technical training (non-ASF) showed a negative association with ASF knowledge and prevention practices, whereas participation in ASF-specific training significantly improved farmers’ understanding and implementation of ASF prevention measures. For other factors, income, piglet number, and treatment practices at farms were additionally associated with farmers’ implementation of ASF preventive. Engagement in training on biosecurity measures for ASF significantly enhanced understanding and implementation of ASF prevention practices.

Conclusion:
It can be concluded that sociodemographic and training factors significantly impact farmers' disease prevention capabilities, underscoring the necessity for ASF-targeted training to improve disease prevention in small-scale pig farming. This study recommended that further training strategies focused on ASF prevention practice should be implemented

Key words: Disease management; Farming practice; Rural area; Information; Transmission.