Role, ownership and presence of domestic animals in peri-urban households of Kisumu, Kenya.

A N Barnes,J Mumma,O Cumming

doi:10.1111/zph.12429

Abstract

Low- and middle-income countries are experiencing rapid urban population growth, particularly in peri-urban informal settlements. In these urban areas, animal husbandry remains a valuable source of income and protein-rich foods but may also present a risk of zoonotic disease threat. To date, there have been studies that have assessed the prevalence and nature of animal ownership in these communities. This cross-sectional survey assessed the geographical, sociocultural and economic factors behind the presence, ownership and purpose of domestic animals in three informal peri-urban communities of Kisumu, Kenya. A majority (n=587) of the study households exhibited domestic animal presence in the living space yet only 32% of households reported animal ownership (n=252). The purposes of ownership included: for meat/eggs (55%); for income, sale or trade (43%); for milk production (31%); and as companions/pets (31%). Among households that owned animals, 76% reported that at least one animal slept in the house at night. In multivariate logistic regression, the following factors were significantly associated with household animal ownership: ownership of agricultural land (OR=1.94, 95% CI=1.12, 3.35), perceiving a strong community bond (OR=2.28, 95% CI=1.25, 4.16), and household membership in a community group (OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.04, 2.60). This research demonstrates the high prevalence of animal ownership in a low-income and high-density peri-urban neighbourhood of an African city, which may facilitate zoonotic disease transmission. Further research should assess if and to what extent animal ownership in such communities is associated with disease risk.

Highlights

Despite a general movement of people from rural to urban areas in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC), contact between humans, wildlife and domestic animals is increasing (Brown, 2004)
Worldwide production of meat is expected to double by the year 2050, primarily in less developed countries, and milk production has increased over 49% between the years 1983 and 2013 (FAO, 2014, 2015)
A sample frame was established using a list of all active Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) for the three settlements with each CHV representing a cluster of approximately 100 households

Summary

Introduction

Despite a general movement of people from rural to urban areas in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC), contact between humans, wildlife and domestic animals is increasing (Brown, 2004). In LMIC, this increasing demand for animal food products has prompted a growing livestock-keeping sector in and around urban centres as a way to supplement income and diet (FAO, 2014; Herrero et al, 2013; Gallaher, Kerr, Njenga, Karanja, & WinklerPrins, 2013). The gender, age and marital status of household members can determine animal ownership or contact, type of animal owned, tasks related to care or processing, and decision-making abilities regarding sale and production (Herrero et al, 2013; Kimani et al, 2012; Njuki & Mburu, 2013; Woldehanna & Zimicki, 2015)

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