Rift Valley fever knowledge, mitigation strategies and communication preferences among male and female livestock farmers in Eastern Province, Rwanda.

Lindsay J Smith,Janna M Schurer,Janetrix Hellen Amuguni,Anselme Shyaka,Eurade Ntakiyisumba,Fabiano Oliveira

doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0009705

Lindsay J Smith, Janna M Schurer + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009705

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Abstract

The Government of Rwanda reported an outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in the Eastern Province in 2018. To respond to the outbreak, vaccination and education campaigns about the disease were carried out. Because RVF cases continue to be detected in Rwanda and the disease impacts livelihoods and health, accurate knowledge and communication are imperative. The objectives of this study were to evaluate knowledge and risk perceptions of RVF transmission among livestock farmers in Nyagatare District, Eastern Province, Rwanda, and to compare RVF knowledge, risk perceptions, and farming practices between male and female livestock farmers. This cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted in selected sectors of Nyagatare District in the Eastern Province of Rwanda in June 2019. A 34-question survey was used to ask about demographics, livestock ownership, risk perceptions about zoonotic diseases and livestock management, RVF knowledge, preferred communication sources and information sharing strategies, and protective strategies for RVF mitigation while working with livestock. Livestock farmers were interviewed at three milk collection centers, two village meeting points, a farm cooperative meeting, and during door-to-door visits in villages. In total, 123 livestock farmers were interviewed. The survey found that most livestock farmers lacked knowledge about epizootic and zoonotic transmission of RVF, more male livestock farmers were familiar with RVF and risk mitigation strategies, and female livestock farmers are not viewed as reliable sources of information. Additionally, most livestock farmers had not vaccinated their animals against RVF despite past vaccination campaigns. Radio was the most popular communication channel. These findings show that RVF knowledge and information sharing are inadequate among livestock farmers in Eastern Province. Therefore, vaccination and education campaigns may need to be reevaluated within the context of these trends in order to prepare for future RVF outbreaks.

Highlights

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne viral zoonotic disease caused by a phlebovirus of the family Phenuiviridae [1,2]
Despite past vaccination campaigns in Rwanda, many livestock farmers surveyed in this study reported that their animals were not vaccinated for RVF
Our study of livestock farmers living adjacent to RVF outbreak areas highlighted generally poor knowledge of RVF, poor vaccination coverage, significant differences between men and women in RVF knowledge and risk mitigation, different preferred sources of information among men and women, and radio being the most preferred communication channel

Summary

Introduction

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne viral zoonotic disease caused by a phlebovirus of the family Phenuiviridae [1,2]. A country with extensive cattle production, reported an RVF outbreak in Eastern Province in 2018 [3]. Additional RVF cases detected in Rwanda, with many in Eastern Province, throughout 2020 signify a continuing challenge [4]. The OIE reported confirmed cases of morbidity and mortality from RVF in livestock in 2012 as well [5]. In addition to sporadic vaccination, vaccination campaigns occur annually in areas where RVF outbreaks have been reported in order to control the disease and mitigate impacts on the livestock sector. Other factors including decreased vectors in the dry season and gradually decreasing RVF circulation levels during interepidemic periods likely contribute to decreased case numbers between outbreaks [8]

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