Knowledge Attitude and Practices (KAP) Study on Backyard Poultry Handling: Key Findings

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) India Country Office, in collaboration with the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Department of Animal Husbandry, commissioned a formative study to understand bird-handling practices of backyard poultry farmers and their families. The study was conducted to understand the vulnerable communities at risk of avian and human pandemic influenza, and to provide an evidence-base for a communication strategy to prevent the spread of bird flu.

The study was conducted in two districts of India where bird-handling was prevalent: the Badwani and Indore districts of Madhya Pradesh; and Thane district of Maharshtra. The objectives of the study were to:

• understand prevalent bird handling practices;
• probe farmers' knowledge on safe practices; and
• see if imparting correct knowledge would result in desired behavioural outcomes.

The focus of the research was on the four key behaviours: Separate, Cook, Wash and Report, in the context of poultry breeding, poultry life, poultry sickness, treatment, death, and disposal. According to the report, local knowledge regarding poultry diseases was vague, and farmers did not report sick or dead fowl due to the fact that they did not know where or who to report to. Farmers and their families rarely contacted the Animal Health Department in Veterinary hospitals on poultry issues as travel and treatment for fowl was considered expensive.

According to the contact for this summary, the findings from this study have been used to develop an effective, all-inclusive set of communication materials in preparedness and response to avian flu, based on an understanding of barriers to behaviour change, social practices and norms, and community systems around poultry.

Please contact Anu Puri (see contact information below) to obtain a copy of the full report.