ASSESSMENT OF CONTROL MEASURES TO PREVENT AVIAN INFLUENZA AMONG POULTRY FARMERS AND LIVE BIRD MARKETERS IN ILORIN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Avian influenza (AI) has become an important zoonosis worldwide. To date, over 603 human cases of AI had been reported, resulting in 356 deaths. Compliance with preventive measures requires adequate knowledge of the dynamics of transmission and control of the disease among poultry markers. However, knowledge, control and preventive practices against AI have not been documented among poultry farmers and live bird marketers in llorin. This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge and compliance with preventive practices for avian influenza infection among poultry workers and live bird marketers in Ilorin, Kwara state. Nigeria. A cross sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire which was administered to 339 poultry farmers and live bird marketers purposively selected. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics; knowledge, attitude and practice of control measures against Al. Scores ≥3 for knowledge were categorised as good knowledge while scare ≥5 were categorised as good preventive practice. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Chi-Square and logistic regression at p=0.05. Age was 38.0 ±12.8 years. Of the respondents, 54.0% were women, 67.8% were married and 63.2% had at least secondary education. About 56% of the respondents had more than hundred birds. About 72.9% had heard about Al. Of the respondents 31.3% reported that their source of information was through the radio. Route of transmission was bird to bird (51.3%) and man to man (20.4%), while about 50.7% of the respondents reared birds at home. Majority of the respondents (63.6%) had poor knowledge of Al and its transmission. Most respondents (74.3%) practiced hand washing with disinfectant after touching birds but 47.8% used protective clothing. Only 36.5% of the respondents had good knowledge of Al. Good Knowledge was found among respondents whose sources of information were seminar/workshop (68.1%), newspaper (72.2%) and television (68.1%). Poor preventive practice was found among females (48.6%), live bird marketers (64.3%), those with primary education or less (59.5%) and those with less than hundred birds (70.5%). The overall mean knowledge score and preventive score were 2.1±1.5 and 5.6±3.0 respectively. Predictors of good knowledge were male [OR=3.52(2.21-5.59), poultry farmer [OR=4.04, 2.29-6.83)], secondary education or more [OR=2.62 (1.60-4.23)] source of information being seminar [OR=6.06 (2.49- 14.71)], while predictors of preventive practices include education [OR-10.18(4.17-11.33)], male [(OR=5.21 (3.09-8.78) and having ≥100 birds [OR=16.7 (8.65-32.29)]. Knowledge and practices of preventive measures against Al were poor, especially among women live bird marketers with low education and those having small number of birds. These groups should be given priority during interventions which could be in form workshops or mass media campaign to reduce the transmission of the virus.