Exploring the risks, perceptions, and practices surrounding Brucella melitensis transmission among people, animals, and the shared environment among the Rendille and the Borana pastoralists in Marsabit County, Kenya

Introduction
Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that is endemic in African countries including Kenya. It
contributes to significant economic losses and poor quality of life. Previous studies have focused
on knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding brucellosis transmission in East Africa, but few
studies have been specifically linked to risks, practices, and perceptions of B. melitensis in animals
and humans in arid/semi-arid (ASA) counties of Northern Kenya.
Methods
We conducted a phenomenological qualitative study in Marsabit county with the Rendille and
Borana communities to understand the risks, perceptions, and practices associated with brucellosis.
Eight Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), four in each community, were conducted, as well as an
additional 12 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with human, animal, and environmental health
professionals in the county.
Results
The study results revealed four key themes related to participants’ risks, practices, and perceptions
surrounding brucellosis transmission. The first theme, brucellosis-related practices, captured
human, animal, and environmental practices related to brucellosis. These practices included food
consumption patterns, management of livestock, and sanitation and hygiene practices. Secondly,
brucellosis-related perceptions that influence practices captured participants' reasons for practices
related to food consumption, livestock management as well as sanitation, and hygiene. The
government capacity in brucellosis management theme encompassed the issues around policies,
resources as well as opinions of government officials/technical officers on the communities.
Lastly, the preferences for health communication theme captured the trusted communication
channels and suggested strategies for health education and information programs
Conclusion
Both communities hold on to traditional beliefs and practices that increase the risk of transmission
of brucellosis. Due to the animal and human restrictive mobility, and recurring hunger, brucellosis
remains unprioritized; most of the attention and resources are dedicated to hunger issues
hampering the implementation of zoonoses-related health programs like brucellosis. This study
recommends focused community engagement and sensitization to address the low awareness and
misconceptions among pastoralists. Sauti Moja and Veterinarians International should facilitate a
forum to unify interested stakeholders in the county to lobby for funding to support animal and
human health programs on Brucellosis and other zoonotic diseases.