Abstract
The strong bond between herder and livestock was forged centuries ago in rural Mongolia and remains an element of national pride and a cornerstone to the economy. However, semi-nomadic herders frequently live at the edge of human health care, veterinary services, and municipal infrastructure like water and sanitation. This study examined zoonotic risk factors and disease perceptions among 150 rural herding households. Less than half of the participating households used an improved drinking water source (43.3%), and the majority of herding families did not use an improved sanitation service (68.5%). Almost half of the study population practise open defaecation (49.7%). Hand washing occurs after animal contact (78%) but not after defaecation/urination (76.6%). Domestic animal ownership and/or presence was reported at every household, and exposure risks varied by the gender of the household member. Most households had knowledge about zoonotic disease transmission (74%) but far less recognized the risk of reverse zoonoses, or human-to-animal disease transmission (53.3%). Few survey respondents believed that animal contact is a risk factor for diarrhoeal disease (8.7%). This study highlights zoonotic disease exposure risks from animal husbandry practices and inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene access and behaviours among rural herding households. Zoonotic disease prevention among Mongolian herders should be implemented using a One Health framework to simultaneously address human, animal, and environmental health concerns of rural herding households.
Highlights
Throughout Mongolian history, pastoralism has remained the epitome of the nation’s identity
Hand washing was customary in the morning and after animal contact, the latter of which is an effective zoonotic disease prevention strategy (Zambrano et al 2014; Ecrumen et al 2017; Penakalapati et al 2017)
Rural herding households are faced with many potential zoonotic disease risks from their close contact with livestock, reliance upon animal by-products such as milk and meat, harsh living environment, and lack of accessible water, sanitation, and hygiene services
Summary
Throughout Mongolian history, pastoralism has remained the epitome of the nation’s identity. Agriculture, in particular herding, drives the Mongolian economy and provides the biggest employment sector for the working population (Odontsetseg et al 2007; Altangerel et al 2011; Ruhlmann 2018; Sack et al 2018; National Statistical Office of Mongolia 2019). Herds commonly consist of sheep, goats, cattle, horses, camels, yaks, and/or reindeer, depending on the region of the country. Livestock generate items such as meat and milk products, leather and hides, and wool, cashmere, and other fibres for household sustenance, barter, and sale (Honeychurch 2010; Batzukh et al 2012; Zinsstag et al 2016b; Bayasgalan et al 2018)
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