Objective: To estimate the cost of dog deworming in Daofu, Sichuan Province and analyze the factors influencing the cost, in order to provide a scientific basis for the investment for echinococcosis control.
Methods: Thirty villages were randomly selected in Daofu, Sichuan Province in November 2015, according to the proportion of agricultural and pastoral areas. Data concerning the cost during each step of dog deworming were collected. The unit cost was estimated, the cost composition in each step, element, and institution were described, and the main cost-influencing factors were analyzed using the linear regression method.
Results: The mean cost of dog deworming in the 30 surveyed villages was 3.76 yuan/dog-times, comprising drug cost of 0.38 yuan/dog-times, bait cost of 0.37 yuan/dog-times, drug delivery cost of 0.09 yuan/dog-times, mobilization cost of 0.19 yuan/dog-times, household deworming cost of 2.05 yuan/dog-times, faeces disposal cost of 0.35 yuan/dog-times, training cost of 0.29 yuan/dog-times, and supervision cost of 0.04 yuan/dog-times. Among the deworming steps, household deworming cost occupied the most （2.05 yuan/dog-times）; among the cost elements, labour cost had the highest proportion （2.55 yuan/dog-times）; among the different-leveled institutions, village-level cost was the most important part（2.82 yuan/dog-times）. Linear regression analysis revealed that the type of production and the distance among households were the major influencing factors. The labour price was the most sensitive factor for cost-estimation in the dog deworming activities.
Conclusion: The labor cost of dog deworming is very high. Governments should increase investment according to local situations.