Abstract
BackgroundBushmeat represents an important animal protein source for populations in rural areas of Côte d’Ivoire; consequently, the exploitation of the bushmeat reserves has contributed to food security in these areas for long time. However, emergence of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa in 2014 has led to a ban and stigmatization of this essential food source in rural zones. The present study analyses the influence of the decision to ban bushmeat consumption due to EVD on the patterns of consumption of proteins sources and food security. It aims to characterize the different protein sources consumed in rural areas in the Toumodi region before and after the EVD outbreak in order to identify alternatives to bushmeat.ResultsThe results demonstrated that fish remains the principal animal protein source (92.1% of households) even outside the EVD crisis. Among protein sources, only bushmeat and fish consumptions have been modified with the Ebola threat. The proportion of households that regularly consume bushmeat decreased to 19.8%, however, this reduction in consumption has been driving by sensitization and repression. Fish consumption frequency increased from 4 to 7 times per week in the EVD crisis period. Picking up in the bush is a main mode of supply of some protein sources such as snail or shellfish but their seasonal character limits their use in the households. Vegetable protein sources seem to play a minor role in the diet of the households assessed, whereas edible mushrooms are consumed frequently to complement or substitute animal protein sources.ConclusionThe ban on bushmeat has led to a reduction in its consumption while fish and edible mushrooms seem to have filled related protein deficits in the households assessed. However, constraints in availability and utilization of these alternative sources build an inconsistent basis to fulfil the nutritional needs. To counteract potentially arising protein deficiencies among the population, the development and implementation of fish farming and livestock at short cycle are suggested in order to improve access to protein sources other than bushmeat.
Highlights
Bushmeat represents an important animal protein source for populations in rural areas of Côte d’Ivoire; the exploitation of the bushmeat reserves has contributed to food security in these areas for long time
The aim of this article was to analyse the impact of the recent Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and the subsequent ban on bushmeat in Côte d’Ivoire on the food security of rural populations in the Toumodi region in south–central Côte d’Ivoire
From habits before Ebola virus disease (EVD) crisis, four categories of animal protein sources were identified depending on the level and frequency of consumption in households (Table 1)
Summary
Bushmeat represents an important animal protein source for populations in rural areas of Côte d’Ivoire; the exploitation of the bushmeat reserves has contributed to food security in these areas for long time. The present study analyses the influence of the decision to ban bushmeat consumption due to EVD on the patterns of consumption of proteins sources and food security. It aims to characterize the different protein sources consumed in rural areas in the Toumodi region before and after the EVD outbreak in order to identify alternatives to bushmeat. The urge to find alternatives to hunting and bushmeat consumption has led to ongoing investigations on the domestication and the promotion of controlled breeding of some wild species, such as grasscutters or snails [7] Despite these initiatives to regulate the degree of poaching, the trade of wild animals has remained and has become an established business [8]
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