Chiuya Tatenda, Fevre Eric M, Junglen Sandra, Borgemeister Christian
Centre for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya.
PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023 Sep 12;3(9):e0002195. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002195. eCollection 2023.
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne viral hemorrhagic disease that affects humans and livestock. In Kenya, the disease has spread to new areas like Baringo County, with a growing realization that the epidemiology of the virus may also include endemic transmission. Local knowledge of a disease in susceptible communities is a major driver of prevention and control efforts. A cross-sectional survey using a semi-structured questionnaire was conducted in five locations of Baringo South that had reported RVF cases during the last outbreak, to determine the knowledge, attitude and perception of the predominantly agro-pastoralist community to RVF. Knowledge of RVF clinical signs, transmission, risk factors and prevention all contributed to the total knowledge score. Additionally, the respondents' attitude was based on their awareness of the threat posed by RVF and preparedness to take appropriate measures in case of suspected infection. Out of the 300 respondents, 80% had heard about the disease, however, only 9.6% attained at least half of the total knowledge score on RVF. Nevertheless, 86% recognized the threat it posed and knew the appropriate action to take in suspected human and livestock cases (positive attitude). Factors significantly associated with a better knowledge of RVF included higher education level, being Maasai, higher socio-economic index, old age and history of RVF in household members and livestock. Being Maasai and a higher socio-economic index were significantly associated with a positive attitude. The low level of knowledge exhibited by the respondents could be due to progressive loss of interest and information associated with a prolonged inter-outbreak period. This calls for regular awareness campaigns. More emphasis should also be put on educating communities on the role played by the mosquito vector in the epidemiology of RVF. The most promising routes of disseminating this information are radio and community gatherings.
裂谷热（RVF）是一种由蚊子传播的病毒性出血疾病，会影响人类和牲畜。在肯尼亚，该疾病已蔓延至巴林戈县等新地区，人们越来越意识到该病毒的流行病学可能还包括地方流行传播。易感社区对疾病的本地认知是预防和控制工作的主要驱动力。在巴林戈南部曾报告过上一次疫情期间裂谷热病例的五个地点，使用半结构化问卷进行了一项横断面调查，以确定以农牧业为主的社区对裂谷热的认知、态度和看法。对裂谷热临床症状、传播、危险因素和预防的了解都计入了总知识得分。此外，受访者的态度基于他们对裂谷热所构成威胁的认识以及在疑似感染情况下采取适当措施的准备情况。在300名受访者中，80%听说过这种疾病，然而，只有9.6%的人在裂谷热总知识得分中至少获得了一半分数。尽管如此，86%的人认识到它所构成的威胁，并知道在疑似人畜病例中应采取的适当行动（积极态度）。与对裂谷热有更好了解显著相关的因素包括较高的教育水平、马赛族身份、较高的社会经济指数、年龄较大以及家庭成员和牲畜有裂谷热病史。马赛族身份和较高的社会经济指数与积极态度显著相关。受访者知识水平较低可能是由于在疫情间歇期延长期间兴趣和信息逐渐丧失。这就需要定期开展提高认识运动。还应更加重视向社区宣传蚊子媒介在裂谷热流行病学中所起的作用。传播这些信息最有前景的途径是广播和社区集会。
