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Management Practices, Farmers' Knowledge of Diseased Fish, and Their Occurrence in Fish Farms in Nyeri County, Kenya.

ABSTRACT: In this study, fish farmers' management practices, occurrence, and knowledge of fish diseases in Nyeri County, Kenya, were evaluated. Fish farming management practices for small-scale farmers in Kenya have numerous challenges which have led to disease occurrence and reduced production. Moreover, the impact and association of these challenges to farmers' knowledge of fish diseases and their burden has not been fully studied. A semistructured questionnaire was used to capture farmers' biodata, fish species farmed, and farmers' management practices such as handling of nets, pond fertilization, and disposal of fish waste. Farmers' knowledge of fish diseases was based on their ability to identify independent and dependent variable indicators. Independent variables included clinical signs, decreased feeding, bulging eyes, floating on water, abdominal swelling, bulging eyes, abnormal skin color, reduced growth, and abnormal swimming with fish death as were the dependent variable. A total of 208 farmers were interviewed and included those of tilapia (134), mixed tilapia and catfish (40), catfish (22), rainbow trout, and five dams under cooperative management. Tilapia was the most kept fish species (66.8%) followed by polyculture of tilapia and catfish (20%) and rainbow trout (2%). Most respondents were male (78.5%) over 51 years of age (50%). Fifty percent of the respondents had secondary school education. There was a significant association between deaths and sharing of nets in Kieni East subcounty (p=0.0049, chi-square), while on-farm fish waste disposing appeared to cause higher deaths compared to burning of the waste although not statistically significant (p=0.13). Few respondents observed decreased feed uptake (<20%) and poor growth. Fifty-seven percent of farmers reported mortalities. Fish poor growth, floating in water, and management practices in subcounties had significant effect on fish deaths. The farmers had knowledge of signs of diseased fish, but there was paucity of knowing the specific causes of disease. Farmers need to be empowered on best aquaculture husbandry to avoid disease transmission and specific fish disease signs to enhance proper reporting of disease for subsequent mitigation measures.

SUBMITTER: Mulei IR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7910046 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Management Practices, Farmers' Knowledge of Diseased Fish, and Their Occurrence in Fish Farms in Nyeri County, Kenya.

Mulei Isaac R IR Mbuthia Paul G PG Waruiru Robert M RM Nyaga Phillip N PN Mutoloki Stephen S Evensen Øystein Ø

Veterinary medicine international 20210218

In this study, fish farmers' management practices, occurrence, and knowledge of fish diseases in Nyeri County, Kenya, were evaluated. Fish farming management practices for small-scale farmers in Kenya have numerous challenges which have led to disease occurrence and reduced production. Moreover, the impact and association of these challenges to farmers' knowledge of fish diseases and their burden has not been fully studied. A semistructured questionnaire was used to capture farmers' biodata, fis ...[more]

PMID: 33680422

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Cholera remains a public health problem in Kenya despite increased efforts to create awareness. Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in the community is essential for the planning and implementation of preventive measures. We assessed cholera KAP in a community in Isiolo County, Kenya. METHODS:This cross-sectional study involved a mixed-methods approach utilizing a questionnaire survey and focus group discussions (FGDs). Using multistage sampling with household as the secondary sampling unit, interviewers administered structured questionnaires to one respondent aged ≥18 years old per household. We created knowledge score by allotting one point for each correct response, considered any total score ≥ median score as high knowledge score, calculated descriptive statistics and used multivariate logistic regression to examine factors associated with high knowledge score. In FGDs, we randomly selected the participants aged ≥18 years and had lived in Isiolo for >1 year, conducted the FGDs using an interview guide and used content analysis to identify salient emerging themes. RESULTS:We interviewed 428 participants (median age = 30 years; Q1 = 25, Q3 = 38) comprising 372 (86.9%) females. Of the 425/428 (99.3%) who had heard about cholera, 311/425 (73.2%) knew that it is communicable. Although 273/428 (63.8%) respondents knew the importance of treating drinking water, only 216/421 (51.3%) treated drinking water. Those with good defecation practice were 209/428 (48.8%). Respondents with high knowledge score were 227/428 (53.0%). Positive attitude (aOR = 2.88, 95% C.I = 1.34-6.20), treating drinking water (aOR = 2.21, 95% C.I = 1.47-3.33), age <36 years (aOR = 1.75, 95% C.I = 1.11-2.74) and formal education (aOR = 1.71, 95% C.I = 1.08-2.68) were independently associated with high knowledge score. FGDs showed poor latrine coverage, inadequate water treatment and socio-cultural beliefs as barriers to cholera prevention and control. CONCLUSIONS:There was a high knowledge score on cholera with gaps in preventive practices. We recommend targeted health education to the old and uneducated persons and general strengthening of health education in the community.

Project description:BackgroundThe knowledge possessed by healthcare workers (HCWs), along with their attitudes and practices play a vital role in effectively managing a pandemic. This is crucial considering that HCWs are exposed to great risk at the forefront of such crises. We aimed to describe the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kiambu county, Kenya.MethodsA cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire was conducted from 11th March 2021 to 12th August 2021. Bloom's cutoff points were used to determine KAP scores (>80%: good, 60-79%: medium and <60% poor). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses were conducted, calculating adjusted odds ratios (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval. Spearman's rank correlations were used to examine the relationship between KAP scores.Results438 HCWs participated in the study, majority of whom were female (64.5%), had obtained a diploma (59.6%) and were informed through government websites (78.6%). 43.0% had good knowledge, 17.5% good attitudes, and 68.4% good practice. 23.0% had medium knowledge, 35.6% medium attitude, 15.7% medium practice, while 34.0% had poor knowledge, 46.9% poor attitude and 15.9% poor practice. Only 68.9% of the caregivers correctly recognized the county's COVID-19 isolation centre and only 7.9% chose the two correct documents for the entry of data for a suspected COVID-19 case. Furthermore, the general attitude towards their own personal safety and their training regarding PPEs (17.8% and 23.8% strongly agreed with the contrary) were less compelling. There was a significant positive association between obtaining information from international government sites [AOR: 1.382 (1.058-1.807); p = 0.0178)] and good knowledge. Referring to local government sites for information regarding COVID-19 produced better attitudes [AOR: 1.710 (1.194-2.465); p = 0.0036] and produced almost twice the odds of having better practice [AOR: 1.800 (1.181-2.681); p = 0.0048]. There was a significant correlation between knowledge and practice (r = -0.330, p = 2.766×10-11), and knowledge and attitude (r = -0.154, p = 6.538×10-3).ConclusionThis study emphasizes the substantial impact that governing bodies have on shaping favorable KAP. As a result, it's crucial for local government platforms to prioritize the dissemination of up-to-date information that aligns with international standards. This information should be tailored to the specific region, focusing on addressing deficiencies in healthcare practices and patient management. The identification of a significant number of HCWs lacking confidence in managing COVID-19 patients and feeling unprotected underscores a clear need for improvement in their understanding and implementation of preventive measures. This gap can be bridged by adequately equipping HCWs with locally manufactured PPEs. This aspect is crucial for pandemic preparedness, and we further advocate for the creation of a locally produced repository of medical equipment. These actions are pivotal in improving future crisis management capabilities.

Project description:IntroductionProlificacy has become an important breeding goal in sheep farming to increase farm profitability. With the adoption of improved genetics and management practices leading to increased lambing percentages, the proportion of triplet-born lambs has also increased on farms. However, mortality rates of triplet lambs are higher than for single- and twin-born lambs, and additional management inputs may be needed to support survival. The aim of this study was to identify factors that affect management practices that are considered important for triplet lamb survival by commercial farmers from the United Kingdom (UK), the Ireland (IRE), and New Zealand (NZ).MethodsAn online survey was developed and disseminated to farmers in each country, focusing on farmer demographics, flock characteristics, management practices and production outcomes. A total of 448 farmers completed the survey, from the UK (n = 168), IRE (n = 218), and NZ (n = 62).ResultsRespondents had larger flocks, higher scanning and lambing percentages than the country average for the UK and IRE. The mean percentage of triplet litters born within flocks was 9%, and lambs lost between scanning and lambing were 14% for UK, 15% for IRE, and 25% for NZ respondents (P = 0.063). Overall, 60% of all respondents reported to lamb indoors and 40% lambed outdoors, however NZ farmers almost exclusively lambed outdoors, whereas UK and IRE farmers lambed in both systems (P < 0.001). NZ farmers were more likely to rear all triplet lambs with the ewe, whereas UK and IRE farmers were more likely to remove a lamb to rear by another ewe or artificially (P < 0.001). Factors that influenced triplet lamb management practices of respondents in this study were respondent country of origin, flock size, age, and gender. In general, younger respondents (P < 0.001), and female respondents (P < 0.05), were more likely to engage in management activities that were considered to promote better triplet lamb survival, compared to older and male respondents respectively. These practices were associated with better lamb survival reported by respondents but were less likely to be carried out when flock size increased (P < 0.001).DiscussionThe results of this survey highlight future priorities or communication strategies needed to improve triplet lamb survival.

Dataset Information

Management Practices, Farmers' Knowledge of Diseased Fish, and Their Occurrence in Fish Farms in Nyeri County, Kenya.

Publications

Management Practices, Farmers' Knowledge of Diseased Fish, and Their Occurrence in Fish Farms in Nyeri County, Kenya.

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