Health burden of wildlife induced injuries among the Maasai cattle herders in Kajiado County, Kenya
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Date
2016-11
Authors
Makau, Isaac Kasilu
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Wildlife induced injuries are a major but neglected emerging public health problem which
contributes significantly to high mortality and morbidity among cattle herders. The
objectives of the study were to determine the health burden of wildlife induced injuries, to
identify the risk factors and establish the risk indices associated with wildlife induced
injuries and to determine the protective measures adopted to mitigate wildlife induced
injuries among the Maasai cattle herders in Kajiado Central and Loitokitok sub-counties.
The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design and mixed methods where
quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Multi-stage sampling method was used.
A total of 262 respondents were sampled for this study. The data collection tools used in
this study included researcher administered questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions
(FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs). Questionnaire was pre-tested be to ensure
validity and reliability. Quantitative raw data from the field was checked for errors and
completeness, through editing of responses. The cleaned data was exported to Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22 and Disability-Adjusted Life
Years (DALYs) software for analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to reveal
the distribution of tendencies in the sample data. Descriptive statistics namely frequency
tables and percentages were used to describe, organize and summarize the study findings.
Chi-square test was used to establish if associations existed between study variables. A pvalue
of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Multivariate Analysis of Variance
(MANOVA) was used to the association between risk factors and wildlife induced
injuries. Multiple Discriminant Function Analysis (MDFA) was used to determine the
linear relationship between variables. Study findings show that wildlife induced injuries
accounted for a total of 3,352 DALYs among cattle herders in Kajiado Central and
Loitokitok sub-counties. Of this, 1,988 DALYs resulted in male Maasai cattle herders and
1,364 DALYs resulted in female Maasai cattle herders which indicate that male Maasai
cattle herders lost more healthy years of life due to cattle herding than female Maasai
cattle herders. Overall evidence generated from the study will be used to influence policy
and direct focus on interventions geared towards addressing public health issues of
significance to the poor Maasai cattle herders.
Description
A research thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (occupational health and safety) in the School of Public Health of Kenyatta University. November, 2016
Call No. QL 85 .K4M3
Keywords
Human animal relationship