Evaluating livestock farmers knowledge, beliefs, and management of arboviral diseases in Kenya: A multivariate fractional probit approach (original) (raw)
Related papers
2021
Globally, arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) infections continue to pose a substantial threat to public health and economic development, especially in developing countries. Available evidence indicates that arboviral endemic countries stand to lose billions of dollars in national income to arboviral diseases (ADs) morbidity and mortality. In Kenya, although arboviral diseases (ADs) are largely endemic, little is known about the factors influencing rural households' knowledge, beliefs, and management (KBM) of ADs. This study employed a multivariate probit model to assess the knowledge gaps in managing ADs and the drivers of KBM using a sample of 629 respondents selected in Kenya's three ADs hotspot counties of Baringo, Kwale, and Kilifi. A multivariate fractional probit model was also used to assess factors influencing the intensity of KBM. The study found that less than a quarter of the respondents had any knowledge of and could not manage any three diseases. The multivariate probit model revealed that gender, religion, access to information, and asset ownership significantly influenced respondents' knowledge of ADs. On the other hand, respondents' beliefs and management of the diseases were influenced by access to information, income, education, and social capital. The results imply that strategies aimed at combating ADs should focus on public health education campaigns to mitigate behavioral barriers in AD management among rural communities in Kenya.
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis whose cases go unreported in endemic areas without active surveillance. Information on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of RVF among livestock farmers remains speculative in Malawi. A cross-section survey using a semi-structured questionnaire (n = 400) was conducted in eight districts of Malawi to capture information on knowledge, attitude, and management practices (KAP) regarding RVF. The average KAP score was calculated from total scores for knowledge, attitude, and practices and then assessed. The association between the level of knowledge and factors of knowledge, factors of attitude, and factors of practices was determined using Pearson chi-square. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the predictors of knowledge. Participants had an overall poor knowledge (score = 17.94%), negative attitude (score = 9.40%), and poor management practices (score = 41.23%) towards RVF. Only 8.25% (33/400) of participants had su...
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2017
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an emerging mosquito-borne viral hemorrhagic fever in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, affecting humans and livestock. For spread of infectious diseases, including RVF, knowledge, attitude and practices play an important role, and the understanding of the influence of behavior is crucial to improve prevention and control efforts. The objective of the study was to assess RVF exposure, in a multiethnic region in Kenya known to experience RVF outbreaks, from the behavior perspective. We investigated how communities in Isiolo County, Kenya were affected, in relation to their knowledge, attitude and practices, by the RVF outbreak of 2006/2007. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 698 households selected randomly from three different ethnic communities. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire regarding knowledge, attitudes and practices that could affect the spread of RVF. In addition, information was collected from the communities regarding the number of humans and livestock affected during the RVF outbreak. This study found that better knowledge about a specific disease does not always translate to better practices to avoid exposure to the disease. However, the high knowledge, attitude and practice score measured as a single index of the Maasai community may explain why they were less affected, compared to other investigated communities (Borana and Turkana), by RVF during the 2006/2007 outbreak. We conclude that RVF exposure in Isiolo County, Kenya during the outbreak was likely determined by the behavioral differences of different resident community groups. We then recommend that strategies to combat RVF should take into consideration behavioral differences among communities.
Perceived risk factors and risk pathways of Rift Valley fever in cattle in Ijara district, Kenya
Onderstepoort J Vet Res, 2014
Ijara district in Kenya was one of the hotspots of Rift Valley fever (RVF) during the 2006/2007 outbreak, which led to human and animal deaths causing major economic losses. The main constraint for the control and prevention of RVF is inadequate knowledge of the risk factors for its occurrence and maintenance. This study was aimed at understanding the perceived risk factors and risk pathways of RVF in cattle in Ijara to enable the development of improved community-based disease surveillance, prediction, control and prevention. A cross-sectional study was carried out from September 2012 to June 2013. Thirty-one key informant interviews were conducted with relevant stakeholders to determine the local pastoralists’ understanding of risk factors and risk pathways of RVF in cattle in Ijara district. All the key informants perceived the presence of high numbers of mosquitoes and large numbers of cattle to be the most important risk factors contributing to the occurrence of RVF in cattle i...
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2017
Background Rift Valley Fever (RVF), is a viral zoonotic disease transmitted by Aedes and Culex mosquitoes. In Kenya, its occurrence is associated with increased rains. In Baringo County, RVF was first reported in 2006-2007 resulting in 85 human cases and 5 human deaths, besides livestock losses and livelihood disruptions. This study sought to investigate the county's current RVF risk status. Methodology and principal findings A cross-sectional study on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of RVF was conducted through a mixed methods approach utilizing a questionnaire survey (n = 560) and 26 focus group discussions (n = 231). Results indicate that study participants had little knowledge of RVF causes, its signs and symptoms and transmission mechanisms to humans and livestock. However, most of them indicated that a person could be infected with zoonotic diseases through consumption of meat (79.2%) and milk (73.7%) or contact with blood (40%) from sick animals. There was a statistically significant relationship between being male and milking sick animals, consumption of milk from sick animals, consuming raw or cooked blood, slaughtering sick livestock or dead animals for consumption (all at p 0.001), and handling sick livestock with bare hands (p = 0.025) with more men than women engaging in the risky practices. Only a few respondents relied on trained personnel or local experts to inspect meat for safety of consumption every time they slaughtered an animal at home. Sick livestock were treated using conventional and herbal medicines often without consulting veterinary officers. Conclusions Communities in Baringo County engage in behaviour that may increase their risk to RVF infections during an outbreak. The authors recommend community education to improve their response during outbreaks.
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2015
Outbreaks of Rift Valley fever (RVF), a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis, have previously been associated with unusually heavy rainfall and extensive flooding. The disease is a serious public health problem in Africa and the Middle East, and is a potential global health threat. In Kenya, outbreaks of the disease have disproportionately affected impoverished pastoralist communities. This study sought to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding RVF among the pastoralists of North Eastern Kenya, and to establish the determinants of KAP on RVF. A cross-sectional study involving 392 pastoralists living in Ijara district (Masalani and Ijara wards) was carried out using an interview questionnaire. All respondents interviewed (100%) had heard about RVF disease. They recognized that the disease is dangerous (99%), and had a positive attitude towards vaccination of animals (77%). However, few respondents knew that abortion (11%) and high mortality of young animals (10%) were key signs of RVF in animals. Very few (4%) use any form of protection when handling sick animals to avoid infection. Significant factors associated with knowledge were being in a household with a history of RVF infection (OR = 1.262, 95% CI = 1.099-1.447), having more livestock (OR = 1.285, 95% CI = 1.175-1.404) and the place of residence, Masalani (OR = 0.526, 95% CI = 0.480-0.576). Overall knowledge score on RVF was found to be a significant predictor of good preventive practice of the disease (OR = 1.073, 95% CI = 1.047-1.101). Despite the positive attitude that pastoralist communities have towards the prevention of RVF, there exist gaps in knowledge and good practices on the disease. Therefore there is need for public health education to address these gaps, and to identify and facilitate the removal of barriers to behavioural change related to the prevention of RVF.
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Background Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic tick-borne disease with an increasing number of outbreaks among communities in Uganda. Following the disease outbreak in the western district of Kagadi on 20th February 2020, a KAP survey was conducted to identify knowledge gaps and at-risk behaviors related to the disease among livestock value chain actors. Methods A household survey using a semi-structured questionnaire was conducted in 399 households in the two sub counties of Bwikara and Ruteete, Kagadi district. A focus group discussion with members of the community was conducted as well as key informant interviews with at-risk individuals. Descriptive and inferential analysis was performed using STATA version 13 (Statacorp Texas; USA). Comparative analysis of the data from the two sub counties was also performed using cross tabulations in STATA, between each independent variable and the subcounty variable. The descriptive and comparative statistics used were minim...
BMC public health, 2024
Background Lassa fever (LF) presents significant public health challenges in Sierra Leone, particularly in the Lower Bambara Chiefdom. This study aims to deeply understand how knowledge and attitudes towards LF correlate with community-driven prevention and control measures. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative approach was used to conduct the research. Data from 2167 participants were collected using an Android-based survey from 1st February 2022 to 14th February 2022. Respondents' knowledge of LF causes, risk factors, transmission modes, and preventive measures were evaluated through a multiple-choice questionnaire, and attitudes toward prevention and control were measured on a 5-point Likert scale. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 and frequencies were presented in count, percentage, and table. Chi-square statistics were used to test for associations. Results Among the 2167 participants, over half were males (1184, 54.60%), farmers (1406, 64.90%), married (monogamous) (1428, 65.90%), and had never attended school (1336, 61.70%). Respondents demonstrated high knowledge levels of LF across socio-demographic groups (33% to 100%) and shared a positive attitude towards prevention and control (mean score of 26.77 on a 5-40 scale). Educational level, religious beliefs, and occupational status significantly influenced LF knowledge (p < 0.05). Specifically, illiterates had a high knowledge score of 48.24%, while those with tertiary education had the highest score at 83.33%. Additionally, a Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive linear relationship between the degree of knowledge and positive attitude towards LF infection and mortality risk factors (r = 0.090, p = 0.02). Conclusion High LF knowledge in Lower Bambara Chiefdom positively influences prevention attitudes. Education, religion, and occupation are key factors. Tailored interventions enhance public health efforts.
Journal of economics and sustainable development, 2016
Farmer’s attitude towards disease outbreak was investigated with the aim of determining whether they can be classified as being reactionary or precautionary. They are more reactionary than precautionary if the level of mortality triggers more rapid positive reaction than the level of vaccine and vice versa. Using an aggregate clinical veterinary record from 2009 to 2015, the farmers’ response to diseases were classified as “poor”, “fair” and “good” and an ordered logit outcome model was fit. The result shows that the threat of mortality and the level of vaccine do not increase the likelihood of reporting on time. Farmers who vaccinated their livestock are less likely to report disease incidence on time compared to those who did not vaccinate. This is because their decision is influenced by the level of precaution they have previously embarked on. Consequently, they tend to embark on a wait-and-see attitude hoping the livestock will recover. On average, there is 28.74% probability th...
Tropical animal health and production, 2018
Poultry are important for many poor households in developing countries, but there are many constraints to poultry production, including disease. One of the most important diseases of chickens is Newcastle disease (ND). Even though there are effective vaccines against this disease available in most countries, uptake by small-scale poultry keepers is often low. In this study, two areas in Kenya and Tanzania were studied, where some villages had received additional support to get vaccination and other villages had not. In Kenya, 320 households from 10 villages were interviewed, of which half of the villages had active promotion of vaccination through village-based advisors. In Tanzania, 457 households were interviewed, of which 241 came from villages that have had active support through either a project or government extension services. Knowledge about vaccines and the attitudes towards vaccinating against ND was evaluated using mixed multivariable logistic models. Results indicate tha...