Farmers' knowledge, attitudes and practices on the risk of introducing peste des petits ruminants

This is a qualitative risk assessment of the risk of introducing peste des petits ruminants (PPR) from Angola into the Northern Communal Areas of Namibia. It involved a survey of the communal farmers within 10-20km of the Namibia-Angola border, using a knowledge, attitude, and practices study. It was carried out in two regions, Omusati and Ohangwena. Namibia is officially free of PPR in one zone, south of the veterinary cordon fence but not the NCA. There has never been an outbreak of PPR in the country and the national herd has not been exposed to PPR and is naïve. Thus, an outbreak of the disease is potentially devastating on a socioeconomic level. The closest PPR outbreak was in Cabinda province in Angola. To better understand the risk factors for introducing PPR from Angola, a study was conducted using a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey. The research employed a qualitative descriptive survey design consisting of questionnaires and interviews with 376 communal farmers residing within 10-20 km of the Namibia/Angola border in Namibia's Omusati and Ohangwena regions. 

The results showed that 84% of the farmers surveyed had insufficient knowledge regarding PPR, while 89% were unaware of its clinical symptoms. Nevertheless, the farmers showed good comprehension of general disease prevention techniques, including vaccination (99%), livestock isolation (85%), quarantine (72%), and regulated animal movements (94%). Additionally, the farmers exhibited awareness of the detrimental effects of disease outbreaks (90%). It was concluded that farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in Namibia's surveyed northern communal areas present a moderate risk of PPR incursion. The current surveillance strategies the competent authority implements are deemed sufficient and can be sustained. However, the study recommends enhancing PPR awareness among northern communal farmers, particularly those living near the Namibia/Angola border.