article · One Health
Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease in Malawi that is increasingly recognised as zoonotic due to hybridisation between human and animal parasite species. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study in Mangochi and Chikwawa districts evaluated awareness and control challenges through surveys with 273 livestock farmers and interviews with 14 animal health workers. While 57.9 percent of farmers understood that diseases could spread between animals and humans, only 0.8 percent associated schistosomiasis with livestock. Awareness varied significantly between districts, with rabies and tuberculosis recognised far more frequently. Furthermore, animal health workers identified critical systemic barriers, such as inadequate veterinary infrastructure, staff shortages, and the unavailability of drugs. Addressing transmission requires integrating animal health into control strategies through farmer education, enhanced veterinary resources, and coordinated cross-sector interventions.
Hybrid parasite strains mean that livestock play an active role in spreading urogenital schistosomiasis to humans. Because current public health campaigns focus almost entirely on treating people, missing the animal reservoir undermines elimination targets. Understanding local awareness and veterinary shortcomings allows public health authorities to coordinate medical and veterinary responses effectively.
The findings highlight an early-stage need for veterinary therapeutics and diagnostics tailored to livestock schistosomiasis, as chemotherapy options for animals remain nascent. Potential users include veterinary services, agricultural extension programmes, and public health agencies. However, the abstract indicates no specific products or near-market technologies, reflecting foundational public health and veterinary systems research rather than immediate commercial applications.
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Background Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease (NTD) in Malawi, increasingly recognized as zoonotic due to hybridization between human and animal schistosome species. While mass drug administration (MDA) programmes target humans, chemotherapy options for livestock are nascent and, more importantly, levels of general awareness about zoonotic transmission within livestock stakeholders needs to be assessed. Methods A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted in Mangochi and Chikwawa districts. Quantitative data were collected through survey questionnaires with 273 livestock farmers, and qualitative insights were obtained from in-depth interviews with 14 animal health workers. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests assessed knowledge and practices, while thematic analysis explored systemic barriers and opportunities for control. Results Over half of farmers (57.9%) recognized zoonotic transmission, yet only 0.8% linked schistosomiasis to animals. Awareness of zoonoses was significantly higher in Chikwawa than Mangochi ( p < 0.001), reflecting district-level differences in historical disease control programming. Farmers most often cited rabies and tuberculosis as zoonoses, while schistosomiasis was rarely mentioned. Animal health workers acknowledged zoonotic risks but reported systemic challenges, including inadequate veterinary infrastructure, personnel shortages and drug unavailability. Conclusion Recognition of urogenital schistosomiasis as a zoonotic disease among farmers is limited, and veterinary system constraints hinder effective control. Given the documented role of livestock and schistosome hybrids in transmission, integrating animal health into national schistosomiasis programmes is essential. A One Health approach combining farmer education, strengthened veterinary services and coordinated human - animal interventions offers the most viable path toward reducing transmission and advancing elimination goals.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2026.101562
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