Path analysis of subsistence farmers’ use of veterinary services in Zimbabwe

We used factor and path analyses to identify the causal paths or relationships between variables affecting the demand and use by subsistence farmers of the various services offered by government-employed veterinary livestock technicians (VLTs) in Zimbabwe in 1996. We examined whether the farmer had...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Preventive veterinary medicine 2003-12, Vol.61 (4), p.339-358
Main Authors: Woods, Pamela S.A, Wynne, Herman J, Ploeger, Harm W, Leonard, David K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Husbandry
Animal Technicians
Animals
Animals, Domestic
farmers
Humans
labor
literacy
livestock
Livestock-health services
Path analysis
Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data
Subsistence farmer
technicians
Use of veterinary services
Veterinary Medicine
Zimbabwe
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Summary:We used factor and path analyses to identify the causal paths or relationships between variables affecting the demand and use by subsistence farmers of the various services offered by government-employed veterinary livestock technicians (VLTs) in Zimbabwe in 1996. We examined whether the farmer had implemented the VLT-recommended livestock-management procedures. Various factors that have been reported or theorised as important in the demand for veterinary services by subsistence farmers are described. The important factors positively affecting whether farmers had sought veterinary assistance in the last 24 months included familiarity of the farmer with the VLT, if situated closer to the VLT’s base, and if the farmer received further training in agriculture (either through courses or from attendance at demonstrations on animal husbandry conducted by the VLT). Factors affecting whether farmers implemented the recommended management practices that had a monetary cost included familiarity with the VLT, proximity to the VLT’s premises, farmer literacy, club membership, and farmer’s wealth. There was a difference in the paths generated for preventive measures that had a monetary cost versus those measures that involved only a labour or effort costs. For the former practices, the VLT played an important role informing farmers by extension and demonstrations, and farmer’s membership of a club increased their performance.
ISSN:0167-5877
1873-1716
DOI:10.1016/S0167-5877(03)00162-4