Analysis of beekeepers' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding bee health in the Boucle du Mouhoun and HautsBassins regions (Burkina Faso)

Abstract

Improving the productivity and competitiveness of beekeeping in Burkina Faso requires the maintenance
of healthy and strong bee colonies that allow production in quantity and quality. The objective of this
study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of beekeepers in terms of bee colony
health. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out using a semi-structured questionnaire. The
results revealed a predominance of men with an age mainly between 20 and 60 years (95.5%). The
majority were educated (93.6%) and trained in beekeeping (81.2%) and practiced beekeeping as a
secondary activity (98.5%). Only 33% of the beekeepers interviewed had knowledge of bee diseases
while 99% had knowledge of predators/pests. The latter is the main threat identified and recognizable
(99%) by the beekeepers, 97% of whom considered that diseases and predators/pests are transmissible.
Region, gender, training in beekeeping and bee health, level of education, frequency of apiary visits and
the nature of the main activity of the beekeepers significantly influenced their level of knowledge. Most
of the practices and attitudes identified are conducive to the spread of threats to bee health. Investigations
into the knowledge of individual pathologies as well as the epidemiological aspects of bee diseases and
predators/pests will provide a basis for control strategies.