Household demographics and income losses in Kyuso sub county of Kitui county

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to document determinant factors that influence income losses in due to livestock diseases in Gai and Mitamisyi study sites in the study area. A descriptive survey research design utilizing structured questionnaires to collect data was done. About 69.0% of households were male headed in both study sites. In both study sites, 64% aged between 35-59 years, 81% married, and 59% educated to primary level. The illiterate (17%), had more income losses than those who had secondary (16%) and tertiary (8%) education levels (r=0.45 for Gai and r= 0.39 for Mitamisyi) at p <0.05. about 70% and 14% of respondents were livestock and crop farmers respectively while 49% of respondents had a land size over 20 acres. Males headed households had more tropical livestock units (10.4) than the females (3.4). there is need to come up with income loss predictive models and disease control contingency plans for the area.