Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding rift valley fever among livestock traders in the Alaotra Mangoro Region, Madagascar

@article{alain2026knowledge,
  title = {{Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding rift valley fever among livestock traders in the Alaotra Mangoro Region, Madagascar}},
  author = {Félix Alain and Botovola Miraimila and Véronique Chevalier and Peter Thompson},
  journal = {Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease},
  year = {2026},
  month = may,
  doi = {10.3390/tropicalmed11050136},
  url = {https://hal.science/hal-05770439v1},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding rift valley fever among livestock traders in the Alaotra Mangoro Region, Madagascar
AU  - Félix Alain
AU  - Botovola Miraimila
AU  - Véronique Chevalier
AU  - Peter Thompson
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/16
JO  - Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
DO  - 10.3390/tropicalmed11050136
UR  - https://hal.science/hal-05770439v1
AB  - Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral zoonosis endemic in Madagascar, threatening human and animal health as well as the economy. Trade-related livestock movements are a major factor in the spread of RVF virus. While previous RVF research in Madagascar has focused on farmers or general ecology, this study is the first to specifically target livestock traders, the primary drivers for long-distance viral spread, in the Alaotra Mangoro endemic hotspot. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, prevailing attitudes and current practices regarding RVF among people engaged in livestock trade in the Alaotra Mangoro region, as well as the factors associated with these KAPs. A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted among 406 livestock traders in five districts of the Alaotra Mangoro region, using a structured questionnaire. A multi-stage sampling approach was employed, utilising purposive selection of markets followed by snowball sampling to reach informal traders often missed by traditional surveys. Generalised linear mixed models were used to analyse factors associated with KAPs regarding RVF. Awareness of RVF was very low (only 18.5% respondents had heard of it), with significant regional disparities (0% in Anosibe An'Ala versus 51.6% in Moramanga). Veterinarians (15.5%), family (12.8%), radio (9.6%) and neighbours (9.6%) were the main sources of information. Understanding of symptoms and modes of transmission (particularly mosquito bites) was limited. Higher levels of education (OR = 181.6; 95% CI: 29.9–1123.7; p < 0.001) and older age (50–60 years) were associated with better knowledge. Proactive attitudes were scarce (21.4%), although more than half (53.4%) believed that RVF is a real disease. Perception of personal risk and the contribution of livestock trade to the spread of the disease was low. However, confidence in animal vaccination was relatively high (60.3%). Preventive practices were highly inadequate. The majority did not wear protective equipment when handling sick animals (94.6%) and rarely avoided touching aborted foetuses (12.6%). Less than half (48.3%) expressed a willingness to report sick or dead animals, and nearly half admitted to having sold or purchased sick livestock (49.5%). Cooking meat (95.1%) and using mosquito nets (74.1%) were the only well-established practices. More than half of respondents (57.9%) lived more than 5 km from veterinary services, and cost was the most frequently cited barrier to consultation. Participation in awareness campaigns was virtually non-existent (5.4%). Results revealed critical gaps in KAP that may contribute to the persistence of RVF. A “One Health” approach is imperative, integrating human, animal and environmental health.
SN  - 2414-6366
ER  -