title: Questionnaire survey on the occurrence of risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection amongst farmers in Thika District, Kenya.
abstract: A survey was conducted to determine the occurrence of risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection amongst farmers in Thika District, Kenya. Interviews were conducted in a total of 385 households using a structured questionnaire. The water consumed at household level originated from taps (74.3%), rivers or streams (15.1%), wells (5.4%) and boreholes (5.2%). A number of households (46.8%) consumed water without boiling or applying any form of treatment. All respondents washed vegetables before cooking, whilst 99.0% washed fruits before eating. Boiled milk was preferred by 99.5% of the farmers. The majority (85.2%) consumed beef more often, whilst 1.6% consumed pork. The majority (98.7%) consumed thoroughly cooked meat. Meat was preserved by 17% of farmers. Only four farmers (1.2%) who practised mixed farming used gloves when handling livestock manure. Five farmers (1.6%) reported the occurrence of abortion in ruminants and pigs on their farms within the last two years before the study. Almost half (44.9%) of the households owned cats, which were kept mainly as pets (79.8%) and for deterring rodents (20.2%). The majority of households (91.3%) fed the cats on leftovers, whilst 8.1% fed cats with raw offal. Sixteen households (9.2%) provided housing for cats. Only five households (2.8%) had litter boxes, but none of the households with litter boxes used gloves when cleaning them out. Disposal of cat faeces was done mainly by women (55.5%). Only one farmer (0.3%) had some knowledge about toxoplasmosis, but was not aware of the transmission mechanism. The study highlights the need for public health education to raise awareness of risk factors for toxoplasmosis.
authors.affiliation: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenia. eddogendi@gmail.com
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ogendi
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maina
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kagira
authors.forename: Maina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ngotho
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mbugua
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karanja
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D016266:Food Parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014122:Toxoplasma; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult