Challenges in the Diagnosis of Taenia solium Cysticercosis and Taeniosis in Medical and Veterinary Settings in Selected Regions of Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

Table 4

Knowledge of meat inspectors regarding T. solium adult tapeworm and T. solium cysticercosis diagnosis.

Variable	Number (n = 108) (%)
Proportions of MIs with respect to:
Presence of slaughter slabs in their localities	10 (9.3)
AHP training background	44 (40.7)
Awareness to T. solium adult worms	88 (81.5)
Awareness to T. solium cysticerci in pigs	107 (99.1)
Proportions of respondents with ≥50% knowledge scores
MIs with ≥50% scores regarding T. solium tapeworm knowledge	46 (42.6)
MIs with ≥50% scores regarding T. solium cysticerci knowledge	88 (81.2)
MIs with ≥50% scores regarding risk factors for T. solium tapeworm lifecycle maintenance	71 (65.7)
MIs with ≥ 50% scores regarding T. solium cysticercosis risk-based meat inspection	39 (36.1)
Decisions regarding T. solium cysticercosis-positive pork
Total condemnation and burying	44 (41.2)
Total condemnation and burning	26 (24.0)
Passing conditional to thorough cooking	7 (6.6)
Passed the carcass if the cysticerci were less than 5	2 (1.6)
Passed the carcass if the cysticerci were less than 12	1 (1.1)
Targeted organs for diagnosing porcine cysticercosis
Tongue	19 (17.6)
Masseter muscles	16 (15.1)
Leg muscles	15 (14.2)
Heart muscles	15 (13.6)
Psoas muscles	12 (10.9)
Neck muscles	10 (8.9)
Ribs muscles	9 (8.7)
Liver	6 (5.3)
Abdominal muscles	4 (3.5)
Bladder, intestines, and stomach	2 (2.2)

AHP, animal health profession; MIs, meat inspectors.