Predictors for Risk Factors for Spread of Avian Influenza Viruses by Poultry Handlers in Live bird markets in Uganda

Abstract

Live bird markets (LBMs) are essential for marketing poultry, but have been linked to many outbreaks of avian influenza (AI) and its spread. In Uganda, it has been observed that demographic characteristics of poultry traders/handlers influence activities and decision-making in LBMs. The study investigated the influence of socio-demographic characteristics of poultry handlers: age, sex, religion, educational background, level of income, location of residence and region of operation on 20 potential risk factors for introduction and spread of AI in LBMs. Study sites included 39 LBMs in the four regions of Uganda. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 424 poultry handlers. We observed that background of education was a predictor for slaughter and processing of poultry in open sites. Location of residence was associated with slaughter of poultry from open sites and selling of other livestock species. Region influenced stacking of cages, inadequate cleaning of cages, feeders and drinkers, and provision of dirty feed and water. Specifically, bird handlers with secondary level of education (OR = 12.9, 95% CI: 2.88-57.4, P < 0.01) were more likely to be involved in open site slaughter of poultry than their counterparts without formal education. Comparatively, urbanite bird handlers were less likely to share poultry equipment (OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.22-0.63, P < 0.01) than rural resident handlers. Poultry handlers in Northern were 3.5 times more likely to practise insufficient cleaning of cages (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.52-8.09) compared to those in Central region. We demonstrated that some socio-demographic characteristics of poultry handlers were predictors to risky practices for introduction and spread of AI viruses in LBMs in Uganda.

Poultry trading behaviours in Vietnamese live bird markets as risk factors for avian influenza infection in chickens

“…Indeed, rest days/nights are an important component of long‐term AIV control but are not sufficient alone to eliminate infection (Kung et al, ). Furthermore, risk factor studies in LBMs have shown that having a greater variety of poultry species, including ducks being sold alongside other species, having poor sanitary conditions, storing poultry in floor pens instead of cages and having ≥1 wholesaler trading in LBMs, all increase the odds of having AIV‐infected poultry and/or having AIV‐contaminated environments (Kim et al, ; Kirunda et al, ; Santhia et al, ; Sayeed et al, ; Wang et al, ).…”

Risk factors for avian influenza virus contamination of live poultry markets in Zhejiang, China during the 2015–2016 human influenza season

“…It is noteworthy that traders often do not clearly divide poultry holding, slaughtering and selling into different zones, which would facilitate cross-contamination, especially in the LBMs with many types of live poultry1937. Third, the terrible sanitary conditions and lack of management in certain LBMs aggravates the risk of contamination38. Fourth, in contrast to previous studies123940 which have indicated that regular rest days, disinfection and cleaning minimize the contaminants in LBMs, our study found that regular rest days, disinfection and cleaning were risk factors associated with H5 subtype contamination.…”

“…Further surveys and cohort studies are needed to investigate the direction of causality between regular rest days, disinfection, cleaning and H5 prevalence. Other studies have shown that two groups among poultry-related workers, including rural people and those with lower educational level, were less likely to follow the rules strictly owing to their lack of knowledge related to avian influenza virus3841. Thus, it is critical to promote measures aimed to improve knowledge of avian influenza.…”

Spatial risk assessment of the zoonotic influenza A (H7N9) along the live meat chicken market chain in Southeast China

“…Bird handlers with secondary level of education were more likely to be involved in open site slaughter of poultry than their counterparts without formal education. Comparatively, bird handlers in urban area were less likely to share poultry equipment than rural resident handlers [182].…”

“…Existing literature indicates that age, sex/gender, education/knowledge and religion can influence the health behaviours, hygiene practices and utilization of advice in humans [182]. Many of these risk factors can easily be reduced through simple and inexpensive procedures, however lack of knowledge often leads to bad application and unsafe behaviour (for example, working in a dirty area and then moving to a clean area rather than the reverse; failure to quarantine new birds; and generally poor hygiene) [144].…”