A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for sub-clinical mastitis (SCM) in Mbarara District, an intensive dairy production region of Uganda where hand-milking is dominant. In 30 farms, herd-level milking practices and SCM prevalence were studied. The SCM prevalences were 68.6% (417/608, 95% confidence interval (CI): 64.9-72.2%) and 39.2% (946/2,411, 37.3-41.2%) at the cow- and quarter-levels, respectively. A preventive factor for SCM was cow calmness at the end of milking (OR: 0.20, 95%CI: 0.05-0.79, P=0.021); a risk factor was rough teat-end (OR: 1.75, 95%CI: 1.14-2.68, P=0.011). Good cow hygiene was negatively associated with environmental mastitis (P=0.002). Appropriate hand-milking practices that avoid teat damage are expected to reduce SCM in Uganda.
Keywords: Uganda; dairy cattle; hand-milking; milking practice; sub-clinical mastitis.