Abstract:
Routes of potential transmission of zoonotic diseases are unique for pastoralist herders as contact is highly reliant on the mobility of both human and livestock populations. In a One Health framework, this cross-sectional observational study examines points of higher risk through both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Data gathered with three pastoralist communities from Marsabit County (Borana, Gabra, and Rendille) is used to illustrate how land management, climate change, and socio-economic factors can be associated with human-animal contact, which is required for the transmission of zoonotic diseases. In the quantitative measures, 75 participants completed a REDCap survey, which measured human-livestock contact using self-reported recall over the last two weeks. Of these 75 participants, 22 also completed a daily diary to validate the REDCap data, assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and agreement calculation, questions about specific animal husbandry activities and contact with specific livestock species were analyzed for agreement. Focus group discussion (16) and transect walks (15) were also conducted in the aforementioned communities. Key informant interviews(16) were conducted primarily with professionals and community activists representing both public and private sectors, without restriction by ethnic group membership. We found moderate to high level of agreement (0.47-0.82) between the activities and a fair to high level of agreement (0.25- 0.74) between species using ICC analysis. Items with equal or less than fair ICC values (<0.4) were found to have very low variance, with >87% or more participants entering the same answer. In these cases, agreement was high at >0.86. These interviews highlighted points of interest per community based on the length of time that community members spent on each topic; Borana on causes of intracommunity conflict, the Rendille community on pastoralist health, and the Gabra community on water/pastureland access. As a pilot study, this is a solid foundation for further research to build upon. We can estimate that participants have a high degree of recall when it comes to their interactions with their livestock. In interviews, all community members made direct connections between the health of their community, their herds, and their lands. They saw these three factors as interdependent on each other. All participants of KIIs knew of the Community Land Act of 2016 and considered it important to the future of pastoralist communities. When asked about the future of pastoralism in the region, there was a slight majority towards the perspective that pastoralist lifestyle must adapt in youth interviews when compared to men and women interviews. No clear census on the future of pastoralist communities were exhibited by interviewed adult men and women. Understanding how to adapt to a rapidly changing climate is needed to secure a bright future for pastoralist communities in Marsabit county. Greater understanding of both the daily activities of pastoralist herds and perspectives of the interwoven relationships between the communities, livestock, and their environment can aid in creating more resilient communities in the face of climate change, conflict, and disease.