Abstract:
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.
