Factors influencing loss of household incomes due to livestock diseases in selected sites of Kyuso Sub County, Kitui County.

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted in Kyuso Sub County to determine factors influencing household incomes. The broad objective of the study was to determine the factors that influence household income losses due to livestock diseases and document common and prevalent livestock diseases. The study used descriptive and inferential data collection and analysis methods. The data was collected through primary and secondary data methods. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to households in Gai and Mitamisyi sub locations using stratified random sampling techniques. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software (SPSS) version 18. A total of 100 households were interviewed. The most prevalent livestock disease in cattle was Anaplasmosis 30.0%, contagious caprine pleuro-pneumonia(CCPP) for goats 29.8%, newcastle disease(NCD) for poultry 30.0%, helminthiosis for donkeys 18.7% and anaplasmosis for sheep 32.6%. The majority of respondents accessed animal health inputs and services. The costs of treatments of diseases and influence of indigenous knowledge on disease management were high for majority of respondents. The study showed goats were the livestock which provided quick sources of incomes. The main sources of incomes were from livestock and products and there were high income losses due to diseases. Multiple linear regression showed that gender of household decision maker, main occupations, levels of education, availability of animal health services and costs of treatments to be significant predictors of household income losses at p<0.05.The multiple correlation coefficients was 0.723, the coefficient of determination R-Square was 0.48(48.8) indicating that 48.8% in overall loss of incomes was explained by the six independent variables. Chi square tests of associations amongst similar variables in the two sites were significant at p <0.05 This study reveals that there is need for allocation of more resources towards livestock husbandry and disease control with more focus to goats and poultry as they are key income sources in the study area.