Knowledge and perception of small-scale farmers on highly pathogenic avian influenza prevention

Abstract

Knowledge and perception of poultry farmers is one of key factors to improve disease prevention practice. By collecting data from small-scale poultry farmers, this study aimed to determine the knowledge and perception of farmers towards highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) prevention practice and analyse the effect of social profiles, farmer’s raising behaviours on knowledge and perception of farmers. The study applied purposive sampling method to select 159 respondents in Tra Vinh Province and use multiple regression analysis to analyze data. The results showed that farmers were mostly more than 40 years old and not completed high school yet. Farmers have raised poultry under traditional methods with some feed and water from natural sources. Farmers keep cleaning and disinfect their farm frequently. The study recorded that farmer had a good knowledge and perception towards HPAI. There were some factors significantly affect the knowledge and perception of farmers including gender, training, income, poultry species, water source. Particularly, when farmers were male, joined in HPAI prevention training activities and not use water from natural source, their knowledge significantly increased. Besides, the increase in one unit of gender, income, poultry species, water source significantly increased the perception of poultry farmers. Other variables had no significant effect. It can be concluded that gender, training, income, poultry species, water source could be used to improve farmer’s knowledge and perception towards HPAI prevention practice.