Abstract:
Human brucellosis, a
neglected zoonosis is endemic in Kajiado
County in both man and livestock. The
Kajiado County community’s main
livelihood is livestock-keeping which
puts it at risk. The study objective was to
determine the community’s knowledge
and practices, and the association between
the two in relation to brucellosis. Results
revealed three predictors of practices the
community undertook that put them at risk
of contracting brucellosis. The predictors
were respondent’s education status
( p=0.002 [CI 0.272-0.749] OR 0.451),
knowledge of importance of pre-purchase
livestock breeding soundness (p=0.007 [CI
1.207-3.356] OR 2.013), and knowledge that
livestock abortions could result in human
disease ( p=0.027 [CI 1.070-2.974] OR
1.783). This meant that respondents without
formal education were nearly half less
likely to undertake practices that prevented
transmission of brucellosis than those with
formal education. Respondents who knew
that livestock examination was important
for breeding soundness were twice more
likely to engage in practices that prevented
brucellosis transmission than those who did not know. Respondents who knew
that livestock abortions could lead to
diseases in man were nearly twice more
likely to engage in practices that prevented
transmission of brucellosis than those who
did not know that livestock abortions could
lead to diseases in man. It was concluded
that the community’s knowledge and
practices that promote brucellosis were
inadequate. Two key recommendations
were drawn. There was need to create
awareness in the community on the risk
factors and practices that contribute to
occurrence of human brucellosis. There
was need for using qualified animal
health providers to mitigate the disease in
animals.
