Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Tsetse Control Among Communities in Kilifi County, Kenya

Abstract

Tsetse fly is an important vector in the transmission of African trypanosomiasis to human and animal. The negative effect on human and animal health mark the fly as a major constraint to livestock production with estimate losses of five billion dollars accrued annually. The losses occur directly through death of animals and their products and indirectly though reduction in productivity and values of animals and animal products. In effort to combat the negative effects of tsetse various control approaches have been implemented. This research evaluated the knowledge, attitude and the various control strategies employed to combat the negative effects of tsetse and trypanosomiasis. A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from 380 randomly selected household using a structure questionnaire. Focus group discussions were conducted and four key informants were interviewed. Content analysis method and largely descriptive statistics were used in data analysis. The findings of the study showed that the respondents had adequate knowledge on tsetse and locally tsetse fly is termed imbu and maimbu (in plural). The disease caused by tsetse fly is locally known as Gandi. The communities have embraced the control of the fly with various techniques employed to curb the negative impacts of the disease. Control approaches include: animal spraying (43.4%), bush clearing (9.4%), netting of zero grazing units (13.2%) and restriction of animals from tsetse infested areas (34.4%). Treatment of trypanosomiasis cases (82.5%).  Animals spraying frequency per month varied among respondents. Thirty percent sprayed once per week and 6.1% did not spray at all. The findings point to variation in farmers' choices regarding the integration of different trypanosomiasis and tsetse fly management strategies. Therefore, population’s understanding, attitude, and perception of the disease and current control methods have a significant impact on how well any control program is adopted.