Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of avian influenza among backyard poultry
- Citation:
- Radwan, G. N., W. Y. A. Wahid, D. El-Derwy, and M. El-Rabat, Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of avian influenza among backyard poultry, , 2011.
Abstract:
Avian influenza (H5N1) (AI) is becoming a serious public health threat in Egypt. The
current study aimed to assess the existing knowledge, attitudes, and various practices
regarding AI in household backyard poultry breeders residing in Fayoum Governorate,
in rural Egypt.
Material and methods
Of the 149 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 51 have been fatal. This study was
implemented in El Gendy and Manshat Abdllah villages in Fayoum Governorate. The
latter village is the one in which a case of AI was confirmed in February 2007. A group
of 150 women aged 15 years and above were recruited. A structured Arabic
questionnaire was used to collect data.
Results
All interviewed women (N= 150) had heard about AI. TV\radio was the common
source of information (83.3%). Nearly all interviewed women knew that AI is
transmitted from birds to humans (99%). Most of the participants (490%) correctly
identified saliva, nasal secretions, feces, and contaminated vehicles as the modes of AI
transmission. The knowledge regarding biosecurity measures (470%) and measures
of prevention (490%) was generally good. More than 90% of the interviewed
housewives agreed that AI is a serious disease that can be prevented, and that sanitary
precautions during breeding and food preparation practices are effective measures for
prevention of AI infection. Protective measures such as the use of gloves and masks,
which minimize the risk of transmission of AI from poultry to humans, were seldom used
by housewives in all their breeding, slaughtering, and cooking practices. However,
washing hands either with water or with soap and water was reported by the vast
majority of the respondents (490%).
Conclusion and recommendation
There was a good level of knowledge and favorable attitude of the study participants
regarding AI; however, practices appear to be inadequate to achieve full protection
against AI. Comprehensive and multidisciplinary interventions should be widely used to
enhance the complex behavior change process among the village residents