Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Livestock keeping householdsâ?? knowledge and perceptions of zoonotic diseases, their impacts and biosecurity measures in Tana River area in Kenya: A descriptive inquiry

International Conference on Food Safety and Regulatory Measures

August 17-19, 2015 Birmingham, UK

Linda Isuyi

University of Hohenheim, Germany

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Food Process Technol

Abstract:

The study was to assess livestock keepersâ?? knowledge, cultural and on-farm practices with regard to control and spread of zoonotic diseases and adoption of biosecurity measures at farm level in Bura sub-county, Tana River County, Kenya. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in Bura irrigation scheme and five villages around the scheme. The data collection methods employed qualitative and quantitative approaches. Open and closed ended questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interview techniques were employed. 220 households, seven FGDs and nine KIIs were conducted. Tobit and OLS models were used to determine the factors that influence adoption of biosecurity measures at herd and house level respectively. The results show that livestock play major socio-economic roles in the area. Diseases and lack of veterinary service are among the major challenges facing livestock keeping households. Zoonotic diseases; brucellosis, tapeworms and tuberculosis are present. There is low knowledge of zoonotic diseases, symptoms and the transmission routes. Raw and dead meat consumption are not practiced but milk consumption in raw, boiled and sour form and consumption of game meat are commonly practice. Carcass disposal is by throwing in the bush. Sanitation and hygiene is generally poor, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is generally low and biosecurity measures are perceived as not important.

Biography :

Linda Isuyi has completed her MSc from the Institute of Agricultural Economics and Social Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics, Department of agricultural Economics, Hohenheim University.

Email: isuyilinda@yahoo.com