Aquatic veterinarians are essential in the investigation and treatment of diseases, epidemiological enquiries, nutrition, feeding and welfare of aquatic animals. Recent reports indicate new emerging important diseases in both farmed and wild fish populations. Nevertheless, few veterinarians have taken on aquaculture veterinary practice in Uganda. It is not clear why few veterinarians are practicing in aquaculture in Uganda. The goal of this study was therefore to assess the factors influencing veterinary service delivery in aquaculture in Wakiso and Mpigi districts in Uganda. The study involved practicing veterinarians, veterinary students and fish farmers.
A cross-sectional study was undertaken to examine factors affecting aquatic veterinary service delivery in aquaculture in Wakiso and Mpigi districts Uganda. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 242 purposively selected 92 veterinary clinical year student, 90 field veterinarians and 60 fish farmers in the two districts in Uganda. Descriptive statistics mainly percentages and frequencies were computed to identify key characteristics of farmers and extension officers. Analyses were done using SPSS Version 26.0.
The results indicated that the academic curriculum, interest of veterinarians and aquaculture policies were the major factors reported to affect veterinary service delivery in aquaculture in the two districts in Uganda. Improving academic curriculum and establishing continued veterinary professional training programs in aquatic medicine, farmer sensitization and aquaculture policies in Uganda was likely to boost veterinary service delivery in aquaculture in Uganda.
Key Words: Veterinary training, Aquatic veterinary services, Aquaculture