Community knowledge, attitude, practices and opportunities for one health approach in control of peste des petit ruminants in Marigat District, Kenya

Abstract

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a contagious viral disease of small ruminants transmitted by direct contact or contaminated fomites and characterized by depression, fever and pneumo-gastroenteritis. The disease has spread to over 17 districts since confirmation in 2007 in Kenya causing huge economic losses. Concerted efforts from all stakeholders were necessary in the control, but little information is known concerning the community participation. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine community knowledge, attitude, practices and One Health opportunities in the control of PPR in Marigat district. The data from 400 questionnaires and five Focus Group Discussions were collected and analyzed in Epi info 7.1.1.0 and grouped into themes to explain the results respectively. An average of 71.5% and 67.7% of respondents had knowledge on PPR and positive attitude on ways of responding to outbreaks and Government control measures respectively. Indiscriminate sharing of watering points between the sick and healthy small stock (OR=6.22), sheep and goats returned home after failed market (OR=10.75), and shoats given as gifts introduced into the herd {OR=5.78) were risk factors significantly associated with spread of PPR (p<0.05). An overall PPR prevalence was estimated at 11.8% with mortality of 7.5% and case fatality rate of 44.1%. Collaborative efforts existed among veterinarians, local leaders, few NGOs and CBO's in sensitizing the community on vaccination campaigns. In conclusion, although most sheep and goat had knowledge and positive attitude on PPR, pockets of disease outbreak was rampant which calls for veterinarians, Animal health assistants and local leaders to be in forefront sensitizing community with messages on mode of transmission, control and risk factors of PPR; hence PPR spread may reduce.