Comparison of knowledge, attitude, and practices of animal and human brucellosis between nomadic pastoralists and non-pastoralists in Kenya

Abstract

Background: The seroprevalence of brucellosis among nomadic pastoralists and their livestock in arid lands is reported to be over10-fold higher than non-pastoralists farmers and their livestock in Kenya. Here, we compared the seroprevalence of nomadic pastoralists and mixed farming with their knowledge of the disease and high-risk practices associated with brucellosis infection. Methods: Across-sectional study was conducted in two counties-Kiambu County where farmers primarily practice smallholder livestock production and crop farming, and Marsabit County where farmers practice nomadic pastoral livestock production. Stratified random sampling was applied, in which sublocations were initially selected based on predominant livestock production system, before selecting households using randomly generated geographical coordinates. In each household, up to three persons aged 5 years and above were randomly selected, consented, and tested for Brucella spp IgG antibodies. A structured questionnaire was administered to the household head and selected individuals on disease knowledge and risky practices among the pastoralists and mixed farmers compared. Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression model was used to assess independent practices associated with human Brucella spp. IgG seropositivity. Results: While the majority (74%) of pastoralist households had little to no formal education when compared to mixed (8%), over 70% of all households (pastoralists and mixed farmers) had heard of brucellosis and mentioned its clinical presentation in humans. However, fewer than 30% of all participants (pastoralists and mixed farmers) knew how brucellosis is transmitted between animals and humans or how its transmission can be prevented. Despite their comparable knowledge, significantly more seropositive pastoralists compared to mixed farmers engaged in risky practices including consuming unboiled milk (79.5% vs 1.7%, p < 0.001) and raw blood (28.3% vs 0.4%, p < 0.001), assisting in animal birth (43.0% vs 9.3%, p < 0.001), and handling raw hides (30.6% vs 5.5%, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Nomadic pastoralists are more likely to engage in risky practices that promote Brucella Infection, probably because of their occupation and culture, despite having significant knowledge of the disease.

Lay attitudes and misconceptions and their implications for the control of brucellosis in an agro-pastoral community in Kilombero district, Tanzania

“…Men too, have a greater role in treating sick livestock and thus have access to insights on livestock diseases which could explain why they are more likely to have better knowledge on brucellosis. These findings correspond to other studies which have shown a variable effect of age, gender and formal education on knowledge of brucellosis [ 44 – 47 ]. Here it was also found that adherence to culture was a stronger driver for engaging in behavior risking transmission, than formal education.…”

From policy to practice: An assessment of biosecurity practices in cattle, sheep and goats production, marketing and slaughter in Baringo County, Kenya

“…Among the Maasai community, milk boiling is not favoured because it is assumed to deplete milk of nutrients; change it to a water like consistency; and make it less filling [ 12 ]. Other reasons given for preference of raw milk among pastoral communities in East Africa is that boiling makes milk less tasty [ 13 ]. As found in this study, the consumption of raw meat and fresh blood has been part and parcel of pastoral diets for many generations [ 13 , 14 ].…”

“…Other reasons given for preference of raw milk among pastoral communities in East Africa is that boiling makes milk less tasty [ 13 ]. As found in this study, the consumption of raw meat and fresh blood has been part and parcel of pastoral diets for many generations [ 13 , 14 ]. Similarly, the use of livestock products as part of treatment processes for sick persons has also been reported in other studies.…”

“…The practice thus may put those involved in milking and slaughtering processes at household level during an RVF outbreak at risk of infection with the disease [ 16 – 18 ]. Brucellosis can also be spread to human beings through consumption of raw milk and blood or handling of aborted materials [ 13 , 19 – 21 ]. As demonstrated in this study, pastoral communities were more likely to engage in risk practices related to handling and consumption of milk and raw blood than the agro-pastoralists.…”

Seroprevalence and Molecular Identification of Brucella spp. in Bovines in Pakistan—Investigating Association With Risk Factors Using Machine Learning

“…However, the infection may stay asymptomatic, and the infected animals may remain undiagnosed (1). Brucellosis is usually transmitted in animals either by contact or through ingestion of contaminated feed and water while in humans by either direct contact with infected animals or ingestion of contaminated animal products (1,(5)(6)(7)(8).…”