Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Rift Valley fever among Livestock Farmers in Uganda

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Despite its endemic nature, limited data exist on farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices, which are critical for understanding and controlling the disease. Methods A cross-sectional study (January 2021–May 2024) assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding RVF among 150 randomly selected livestock farmers in Isingiro, Kiruhura, Gomba, and Nakasongola districts. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed in STATA 14.2, employing descriptive statistics to summarize KAP. Results Most respondents were male (80.7%) with a mean age of 45 years; 60% had only primary or no formal education. Although 97.3% reported no confirmed RVF cases in their herds, awareness was low: 72.7% could not identify animal symptoms and 76.0% were unaware of human signs. Only 17.3% understood RVF transmission, while 56% recognized vaccination as useful, but none had vaccinated their animals. Unsafe practices were reported, including feeding aborted fetuses to dogs (40%) and discarding them in the bush (40%). Nevertheless, 97.3% reported sick or dead animals to veterinary authorities, and 95.3% had access to veterinary services, though preventive practice uptake remained minimal. Conclusion The study reveals critical gaps in RVF knowledge and widespread unsafe practices among farmers, despite access to veterinary services, highlighting the need for targeted education, improved vaccine access, and strengthened One Health-based interventions. Rift Valley fever Knowledge Attitudes and Practices livestock farmers Uganda zoonotic disease One Health epidemiology Figures Figure 1 Introduction Rift Valley fever is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease caused by the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), a member of the Phlebovirus genus in the Phenuiviridae family. It primarily affects livestock such as cattle, goats, and sheep, often resulting in high mortality among young animals and widespread abortions during outbreaks. The virus can also infect wild species like buffaloes, contributing to its ecological persistence (Arinaitwe et al., 2025 ). Transmission of this virus occurs mainly through bites from infected Aedes and Culex mosquitoes, though humans may also become infected through contact with animal blood or tissues, and to a lesser extent, via unpasteurized milk or aerosol exposure (Shabani et al., 2015 ). Outbreaks are typically triggered by prolonged rainfall and flooding, which create ideal breeding conditions for mosquito vectors (Arinaitwe et al., 2025 ). RVF is endemic in East Africa and has been a recurrent problem in Uganda since it was first detected in 1944. The disease poses major public health and economic threats, especially in Uganda’s cattle corridor, where rural livelihoods depend heavily on livestock. Infected animals lead to direct income loss through mortality, decreased productivity, and restrictions on livestock trade (Tumusiime et al., 2023 ). While vector control and surveillance are essential for RVF prevention, farmer knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) play a critical role in influencing outbreak dynamics. Understanding of transmission routes, symptom recognition, and preventive practices such as vaccination are vital in minimizing the disease's spread (Haghdoost et al., 2019 ; Maurice et al., 2018 ). Despite the endemic nature of RVF and recurring outbreaks in Uganda’s cattle corridor, many livestock farmers remain unaware of its clinical signs, transmission pathways, and prevention methods. Previous studies have reported low awareness even among high-risk groups. For instance, after the 2016 outbreak, only 36% of livestock farmers and 51% of butchers could correctly identify symptoms of RVF in animals (Maurice et al., 2018 ). These gaps in knowledge and practice hinder effective disease control. This study therefore, aimed to assess the KAPs related to RVF among livestock farmers in four high-risk districts within Uganda’s cattle corridor. Findings from this research will inform targeted educational campaigns and veterinary interventions to improve RVF prevention, protect public health, and support the sustainability of the livestock sector. Methodology Study design A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted between January 2021 and May 2024 among livestock farmers in selected districts of Uganda. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using pre-tested structured questionnaires (see Supplementary 1). Study Area The study was conducted in Isingiro and Kiruhura districts in southwestern Uganda, and Gomba and Nakasongola districts in central Uganda, all located within Uganda’s cattle corridor (Fig. 1 ). These areas were selected due to high livestock density, a history of Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreaks, and ecological conditions favorable for mosquito breeding, including bimodal rainfall and seasonal flooding. Livestock production is predominantly pastoral and agro-pastoral, characterized by communal grazing, frequent animal movement, and close human–animal interaction, which increase the risk of RVF transmission. Participants and Sampling Structured questionnaires were administered to livestock farmers whose animals were enrolled in the RVF sero-surveillance and strain characterization study. The study targeted farmers aged 18 years and above who owned cattle, goats, or sheep. Farmers were selected through random sampling from households whose animals were sampled for blood collection. The number of participating households per district corresponded to the number of livestock herds randomly selected for the sero-surveillance component of the study. Accordingly, a total of 150 farmers were recruited across four districts: 43 from Kiruhura District, 39 from Gomba District, 31 from Nakasongola District, and 37 from Isingiro District. Each questionnaire was administered to the farmer or household head or farm manager, whose animals had been sampled, thereby ensuring a direct linkage between animal-level sampling and farmer-level data collection. Data Collection Tools and Procedures A structured questionnaire covering demographics, livestock ownership, RVF knowledge, attitudes, practices, and risk perceptions was used. It was developed in English and translated into Runyankole and Luganda. The questionnaire included closed-ended, open-ended, and multiple-choice items. Pre-testing was conducted with 10 farmers in Gomba District, and feedback informed minor revisions. Data were collected using paper forms and later digitized into Kobo Toolbox for storage and analysis. Data Management and Analysis Data were imported from Microsoft Excel into STATA version 14.2 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and proportions, were used to summarize categorical variables such as knowledge, attitudes, and practices items related to RVF. Continuous variables were summarized using means and standard deviations. Results Socio-demographic characteristics of farmers who participated in the study A total of 150 livestock farmers were included in the study. Most respondents were male (80.7%), with a mean age of 45 years (SD = 13). The majority (60%) had no formal education or only primary-level education, while 28% had secondary and 12% had tertiary education. Most participants (92.7%) reported farming as their primary occupation. Respondents were distributed across four districts, with the highest proportions from Kiruhura (28.7%) and Gomba (26.0%) (Table 1 ). Table 1 Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents (N = 150). Characteristic Summary measure District, n (%) Gomba 39 (26.00) Isingiro 37 (24.67) Kiruhura 43 (28.67) Nakasongola 31 (20.67) Gender, n (%) Female 29 (19.33) Male 121 (80.67) Age in completed years, Mean (sd) 45 (13) Age category, n (%) Less than 30 years 21 (14.00) 30–49 years 70 (46.67) 50 years and above 59 (39.33) Highest level of education, n (%) None or primary 90 (60.00) Secondary 42 (28.00) Tertiary 18 (12.00) Occupation, n (%) Civil servants 8 (5.33) Farmer 139 (92.67) Other 3 (2.00) Knowledge about RVF Knowledge of Disease Occurrence and Diagnosis Out of 150 farmers, 146 (97.3%) reported that RVF had not been confirmed in their herds in the past 12 months, while 2 (1.3%) were unsure. None (0%) reported a confirmed RVF case. Among the 146 respondents who reported any basis for RVF diagnosis, 142 (97.3%) cited clinical signs as the sole basis of diagnosis. One farmer (0.7%) mentioned using laboratory methods, and three farmers (2.1%) mentioned using epidemiological methods for confirmation (Table 2 ). Table 2 Farmers’ knowledge on recent RVF occurrence and basis of diagnosis in selected districts of Uganda (N = 150). Knowledge Item Frequency (%) In the last 12 months, has RVF been confirmed in your herd? n = 150 Do not know 2 (1.33) No 146 (97.33) Yes 2 (1.33) What was the basis of your RVF diagnosis? n = 118 Clinical 142 (97.26) Laboratory 1 (0.68) Epidemiological 3 (2.05) Knowledge of Clinical Signs of RVF Knowledge of clinical signs of RVF among farmers was generally low. Among animal-related signs, the most recognized were sudden onset of abortion (35, 23.3%) and high fever (25, 16.7%). Only 22 (14.7%) identified high mortality of newborns, and even fewer recognized signs like profuse fetid diarrhea (18, 12.00%), weakness (18, 12.00%), or mucopurulent nasal discharge (12, 8.00%). Notably, the majority (72.7%, n = 109) of farmers didn’t know the clinical signs in animals. For human symptoms, high fever (30, 20.0%), headache (26, 17.3%), and hemorrhage (17, 11.3%) were the most commonly mentioned. However, recognition of other symptoms was limited, with muscle pain (14, 9.3%), backache (8, 5.3%), and blurred vision (5, 3.3%) being rarely identified. Again, the majority, (76.0%, n = 114) of respondents indicated “didn’t know” the human signs of RVF, Table 3 . Table 3 Farmers’ knowledge of clinical signs of RVF in animals and humans in selected districts of Uganda (N = 150) Sign Frequency (%) a) Signs of RVF in animals, n = 150 High mortality of newborns No 128 (85.33) Yes 22 (14.67) Sudden onset of abortion No 115 (76.67) Yes 35 (23.33) Mucopurulent nasal discharge No 138 (92.00) Yes 12 (8.00) Weakness No 132 (88.00) Yes 18 (12.00) Profuse fetid diarrhea No 132 (88.00) Yes 18 (12.00) High fever No 125 (83.33) Yes 25 (16.67) Don’t know No 41 (27.33) Yes 109 (72.67) b) Signs of RVF in Humans, n = 150 Hemorrhage No 133 (88.67) Yes 17 (11.33) High fever No 120 (80.00) Yes 30 (20.00) Muscle pain No 136 (90.67) Yes 14 (9.33) Blurred vision No 145 (96.67) Yes 5 (3.33) Backache No 142 (94.67) Yes 8 (5.33) Headache No 124 (82.67) Yes 26 (17.33) Don’t know No 36 (24.00) Yes 114 (76.00) Knowledge of RVF Transmission Knowledge about how RVF is transmitted was generally low among respondents. Only 26 (17.3%) of the 150 farmers knew how RVF is spread, while 102 (68.0%) said they did not know, and 22 (14.7%) answered No. When asked whether RVF affects humans, only 47 (31.3%) correctly acknowledged that it does, while 64 (42.7%) didn’t know, and 39 (26.0%) believed it does not. Among the 37 respondents who agreed that RVF can affect humans: 25 (53.2%) knew it can be transmitted by mosquito bites, and 24 (51.1%) mentioned eating raw or undercooked meat. Other known modes included drinking raw milk (25, 53.2%), touching an aborted fetus (18, 38.3%), and touching body fluids (18, 38.3%). Fewer mentioned sheltering animals in the house (11, 23.4%), while 10 (21.3%) didn’t know its transmission even after affirming that RVF affects humans. On who is at high risk: 40 (85.1%) identified herdsmen, and 26 (55.3%) mentioned butcher men as high-risk groups. Only 16 (34.0%) mentioned people who milk cows, and 10 (21.3%) noted people who cook meat, Table 4 . Table 4 Farmers’ knowledge of RVF transmission and high-risk groups in selected districts of Uganda Variable Frequency (%) Do you know how RVF is spread? n = 150 Don’t know 102 (68.00) No 22 (14.67) Yes 26 (17.33) Does RVF affect humans? n = 150 Don’t know 64 (42.67) No 39 (26.00) Yes 47 (31.33) If yes, how is it transmitted? n = 47 a) Touching an aborted foetus No 29 (61.70) Yes 18 (38.30) b) Sheltering animals in the house No 36 (76.60) Yes 11 (23.40) c) Drinking raw milk No 22 (46.81) Yes 25 (53.19) d) Touching body fluids No 29 (61.70) Yes 18 (38.30) e) Eating raw or undercooked meat No 23 (48.94) Yes 24 (51.06) f) Mosquito bite No 22 (46.81) Yes 25 (53.19) g) Don’t know No 37 (78.72) Yes 10 (21.28) Who is at high risk of getting infected with RVF?, n = 47 Herdsmen No 7 (14.89) Yes 40 (85.11) Butcher men No 21 (44.68) Yes 26 (55.32) People who milk cows No 31 (65.96) Yes 16 (34.04) People who cook meat No 37 (78.72) Yes 10 (21.28) Don’t know No 45 (95.74) Yes 2 (4.26) Knowledge of Prevention and Control Only 39 (26.0%) of the 150 farmers reported knowing measures to prevent the spread of RVF, while 67 (44.67%) said they did not know, and 44 (29.3%) answered “No”, which likely indicates no knowledge or were unsure. Among the 39 respondents who claimed awareness of preventive measures: The most frequently mentioned method was sleeping under mosquito nets (20, 51.3%). Quarantine of animals was reported by 9 (23.1%), while boiling meat properly was mentioned by 16 (41.0%). Fewer respondents cited using gloves or personal protective equipment (5, 12.8%), and only 1 (2.6%) mentioned proper disposal of aborted fetuses, Table 5 . Table 5 Farmers’ knowledge of RVF prevention and control measures in selected districts of Uganda Variable Frequency (%) Do you know the measures taken to prevent the spread of RVF?, n = 150 Don’t know 67 (44.67) No 44 (29.33) Yes 39 (26.00) If yes, specify, n = 39 a) Boiling meat and meat properly No 23 (58.97) Yes 16 (41.03) b) Quarantine No 30 (76.92) Yes 9 (23.08) c) Sleeping under mosquito nets No 19 (48.72) Yes 20 (51.28) d) Using gloves and PPE No 34 (87.18) Yes 5 (12.82) e) Proper disposal of arbotus No 38 (97.44) Yes 1 (2.56) Overall knowledge regarding RVF among Farmers To measure knowledge, 30 items were used, with each correct response awarded one point and incorrect or “don’t know” responses scored zero, giving a maximum possible score of 30. The internal consistency of this scale, which assessed knowledge of clinical signs, transmission, and prevention and control of Rift Valley fever, was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and yielded a coefficient of 0.95, indicating excellent reliability. For interpretation, knowledge levels were categorized as good (≥ 75%, 23–30 points), moderate (50–74%, 15–22 points), and poor (< 50%, 0–14 points). Out of the 150 livestock farmers interviewed, the majority 134 (89.3%) had poor knowledge of Rift Valley fever, while only 9 (6.0%) demonstrated moderate knowledge, and a small proportion 7 (4.7%) had good knowledge. Attitude regarding RVF prevention and control Only 56 (37.3%) of the 150 participants considered RVF an important disease in animals, while 78 (52.0%) were uncertain and 16 (10.7%) did not view it as important. When asked whether handling animals infected with RVF posed a problem, 67 (45.0%) responded yes, while 63 (42.3%) disagreed, and 19 (12.8%) were unsure. Regarding personal risk perception, 60 (40.0%) believed they were at risk of contracting RVF, but the majority (80, 53.3%) said they did not know, and 10 (6.7%) believed they were not at risk. On vaccination as a control measure, 60, 40.0%) recognized its usefulness, though the majority, 80 (53.3%) were unsure, and 10 (6.6%) rejected its value, Table 6 . Table 6 Farmers’ attitudes toward RVF prevention and control in selected districts of Uganda (N = 150) Attitude Frequency (%) Do you consider RVF an important disease in animals? n = 150 Don’t know 78 (52.00) No 16 (10.67) Yes 56 (37.33) Do you consider handling animals infected with RVF a problem? n = 150 Don’t know 19 (12.75) No 63 (42.28) Yes 67 (44.97) Do you consider yourself to be at risk of contracting RVF? n = 150 Don’t know 80 (53.33) No 10 (6.67) Yes 60 (40.00) Do you consider vaccination to be useful in controlling RVF in animals? n = 150 Don’t know 65 (43.33) No 1 (0.67) Yes 84 (56.00) Overall attitude towards RVF among Farmers Attitudes toward Rift Valley fever were assessed using four items on the importance of the disease, handling infected animals, perceived personal risk, and the usefulness of vaccination. Responses were coded as “No” = -1, “Don’t know” = 0, and “Yes” = 1, and the mean score across the four items was computed to generate an overall attitude score. The scale showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.77). Participants with a mean score of zero or less were categorized as having a negative attitude, while those with a score greater than zero were categorized as having a positive attitude toward RVF. Out of the 150 livestock farmers interviewed, 81 (54.0%) demonstrated a positive attitude toward RVF recognition, risk perception, and prevention/control measures, while 69 (46.0%) had a negative attitude. Practices regarding RVF prevention and control All 150 respondents (100%) reported that they had never vaccinated their animals against RVF. However, the vast majority (143, 95.3%) indicated that veterinary services were available in their area for RVF control, and nearly all (145, 97.3%) said they report sick or dead animals to veterinary authorities. During suspected disease outbreaks, most respondents (132, 88.0%) stated that they would report or call a veterinary doctor, while 24 (16.0%) would attempt treatment with antibiotics. Only 3 (2.0%) would sell the sick animal, 9 (6.0%) would isolate it, and 2 (1.3%) admitted they did not know what to do. When asked how they handled aborted fetuses, 60 (40.0%) said they gave them to dogs, while 54, 36.0% said they buried them, and 60 (40.0%) reported throwing them in the bush, practices that indicate potentially hazardous handling and disposal methods, Table 7 . Table 7 Practices related to RVF prevention and control among livestock farmers in selected districts of Uganda (N = 150) Practice Frequency (%) Ever vaccinated animals against RVF No 150 (100.00) Yes 0 (0.00) Do you have Veterinary services in the control of RVF? No 7 (4.67) Yes 143 (95.33) Do you report sick/dead animals to the authorities/Veterinary Doctors? No 4 (2.68) Yes 145 (97.32) What do you do when there is a disease/RVF outbreak? a) Report/call a veterinary doctor No 18 (12.00) Yes 132 (88.00) b) Treat with antibiotics No 126 (84.00) Yes 24 (16.00) c) Sell the animal No 147 (98.00) Yes 3 (2.00) d) Isolate the sick animal No 141 (94.00) Yes 9 (6.00) e) I don’t know No 148 (98.67) Yes 2 (1.33) How do you handle aborted fetuses? a) Give them to the dogs No 90 (60.00) Yes 60 (40.00) b) Bury them No 96 (64.00) Yes 54 (36.00) c) Throw them in the bush No 90 (60.00) Yes 60 (40.00) Overall practices against RVF among Farmers Practices toward RVF prevention and control were assessed using nine items, with incorrect practices (burying dead animals, treating with antibiotics, and isolating without veterinary guidance) reverse coded to ensure that higher scores reflected better practices. The scale had a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.51, indicating low internal consistency. Each participant’s total practice score (range: 0–9) was computed and categorized as good practice ≥ 75% (≥ 7), moderate practice 51–74% (5–6), or poor practices < 50% (< 5). Out of the 150 livestock farmers, the majority 96 (64.0%) demonstrated good practices toward Rift Valley fever prevention and control, while 49 (32.7%) had moderate practices, and only 5 (3.3%) exhibited poor practices. Discussion This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to RVF among livestock farmers in Uganda’s cattle corridor, a high-risk region for zoonotic disease outbreaks characterized by dense livestock populations (Kainga et al., 2022 ). Despite frequent contact with animals, farmers demonstrated significant gaps in awareness, preparedness, and safe livestock handling, including limited knowledge of RVF symptoms, transmission routes, and preventive measures. The demographic profile of respondents reflects the social and cultural patterns of rural communities in Uganda’s cattle corridor. Most of the respondents (80.7%) were male, which aligns with traditional gender roles in livestock management (Population, 2024 ). Men typically make herd-related decisions, engage with veterinary services, and control animal ownership, while women often play supporting roles such as feeding, milking, or participating in small-scale marketing (Namatovu et al., 2025 ). This gendered division of labor is common in pastoral communities across Africa and influences how animal health information is accessed, how diseases are reported, and how preventive practices are implemented (Namatovu et al., 2025 ). Understanding these gendered roles is vital for designing targeted RVF education programs that engage both male decision-makers and women involved in daily livestock care. The average age of respondents was 45 years (46.67%), reflecting a broader regional trend where middle-aged adults dominate the agricultural sector (Abdi et al., 2015 ; Maurice et al., 2018 ). These individuals typically possess significant experiential knowledge of livestock rearing but may show limited adaptability to new technologies and practices. The low involvement of younger people in livestock farming is concerning, echoing global trends of an aging agricultural workforce (Brooks, 2024; Habiyaremye et al., 2017). The predominance of middle-aged farmers reflects regional trends in which agricultural workforces are aging, limiting innovation and uptake of new practices. Strategies to engage youth in livestock production could enhance long-term resilience to zoonotic threats. Educational attainment among respondents was generally low, with 60% lacking formal education or possessing only primary-level schooling. This mirrors broader trends in pastoralist communities across East Africa, where high school dropout rates are prevalent (Population, 2024 ). In Uganda, livestock management often relies on family labor, with school dropouts commonly filling this role. Low education levels among respondents likely contribute to limited RVF awareness and risky animal-handling behaviors (Haghdoost et al., 2019 ). Health communication should therefore employ visual, oral, and participatory methods suited to low-literacy populations. The vast majority of participants (92.7%) identified themselves as farmers, indicating that agriculture, particularly livestock farming, plays a significant role in both the economy and daily life in Uganda’s cattle corridor (Mbolanyi et al., 2017 ). Respondents were primarily from Kiruhura (28.7%) and Gomba (26.0%) districts, renowned for their high livestock populations, suggesting greater engagement with animal health programs. This distribution points to potentially higher levels of awareness and participation in animal health initiatives in these areas, likely driven by the economic significance of livestock farming. Despite RVF being endemic in parts of Uganda, 97.3% of farmers reported no confirmed cases in their herds over the past year. This likely reflects underreporting driven by weak veterinary infrastructure, limited diagnostics, low community awareness, and fear of economic repercussions (Hampton et al., 2022 ; Kahariri et al., 2024 ). Misdiagnosis of RVF as other livestock diseases further obscures its true prevalence. Strengthening farmer education, veterinary diagnostics, mobile services, and animal health worker training is essential to improve surveillance and early outbreak control. Over 72% of participants could not identify RVF symptoms in animals, and 76% were unaware of signs in humans. While some mentioned abortions in livestock or fever in humans, critical indicators such as hemorrhage and neonatal mortality were rarely recognized (Kainga et al., 2022 ). Awareness of RVF’s zoonotic nature was also low, with many unaware that transmission can occur through contact with infected animals or their fluids (Muvunyi et al., 2025 ; Smith et al., 2021 ). Similar knowledge gaps and limited adoption of preventive measures have been reported elsewhere in Uganda and across the region. In Kabale District, for example, general awareness did not translate into vaccination uptake (Maurice et al., 2018 ), while studies in Kenya and Malawi found comparable disconnects between knowledge and practice (Abdi et al., 2015 ; Chiuya et al., 2023 ). These findings highlight the persistent gap between awareness and behavioral change, underscoring the need for more effective, context-specific risk communication strategies. Only a minority of farmers understood RVF’s zoonotic transmission pathways, particularly risks associated with handling aborted fetuses or animal fluids. Such partial knowledge reinforces unsafe practices and highlights the need for integrated biosecurity training. Similar patterns are observed regionally; just 15.3% of respondents in Kenya and 9.5% in Malawi were aware of RVF transmission (Chiuya et al., 2023 ; Kainga et al., 2022 ). In contrast, a study in Kabale District indicated a 53% awareness rate, likely attributed to public health efforts following the 2016 outbreak (Maurice et al., 2018 ). These findings highlight the need for targeted, community-level education that addresses RVF’s zoonotic nature and prevention practices. Even among those aware of RVF’s zoonotic potential, transmission understanding was partial. More than half identified mosquito bites (53.2%), raw milk (53.2%), and undercooked meat (51.1%) as risks, yet fewer recognized higher-risk exposures, such as handling aborted fetuses (38.3%), contact with animal fluids (38.3%), or keeping livestock indoors (23.4%), all established transmission routes (Tinto et al., 2023 ). Persistent misconceptions and partial knowledge can perpetuate unsafe practices, emphasizing the need for comprehensive education on all RVF transmission pathways. Recognition of high-risk groups was limited, and a gendered gap in knowledge may impede health interventions by neglecting women engaged in activities such as milking and cooking meat. Although most farmers associated RVF prevention with mosquito control, biosecurity measures such as safe disposal of animal waste, use of protective gear, and vaccination were poorly understood or practiced. This imbalance reflects the narrow framing of RVF as solely a vector-borne disease rather than a broader zoonotic threat. Similar trends in East Africa indicate an overemphasis on mosquito control, highlighting the need for targeted biosecurity education (Chiuya et al., 2023 ). Addressing this imbalance through targeted education on comprehensive biosecurity measures is essential to reducing both human and animal vulnerability to RVF outbreaks. Our findings revealed mixed perceptions of RVF among farmers. Only 37.3% viewed it as a serious animal disease, and just 40% felt personally at risk, while 53.3% were unsure—indicating poor public health communication and understanding (Kainga et al., 2022 ). Although 56% believed vaccination is effective, none had vaccinated their animals, reflecting a gap between knowledge and practice, also observed elsewhere (Abdi et al., 2015 ). Contributing factors include limited vaccine access, absence of a national RVF vaccination policy, and broader challenges such as cost, veterinary service availability, and awareness (Acosta et al., 2022 ; Maurice et al., 2018 ). Reported practices were insufficient to prevent or control RVF. Although many farmers reported sick or dead animals and had access to veterinary services, improper use of antibiotics was common, despite their ineffectiveness against viral infections like RVF. This suggests poor understanding of disease etiology and contributes to antimicrobial resistance (Ozturk et al., 2019 ; Tufa et al., 2018 ). Unsafe disposal of aborted fetuses was another major concern; 40% fed them to dogs, and 40% discarded them in bushes. These behaviors increase the risk of RVF transmission, as the virus can survive in infected tissues (Bird & Maclachlan, 2009 ; Pepin et al., 2010 ). These findings point to an urgent need for training and sensitization in safe animal handling and biosecurity. The responses were self-reported, introducing potential recall and social desirability biases. Despite these limitations, the findings provide valuable insights for RVF awareness campaigns and targeted interventions for farmers. In conclusion, the study highlights the urgent need for targeted health education to improve RVF knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Public awareness campaigns should focus on symptom recognition, zoonotic risk, and transmission routes. Interventions must also provide access to vaccines, diagnostics, and protective tools. Besides, a One Health approach is essential, integrating RVF education, community-centered vaccination, and mobile veterinary services. Culturally tailored programs that involve youth and women in livestock training can strengthen prevention efforts, boost community resilience, and ensure sustainable disease control. It also highlights significant knowledge and practice gaps regarding RVF among Ugandan farmers. Enhanced education, increased vaccine accessibility, and a community-driven One Health approach are vital for effective and sustainable disease prevention. Declarations Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose Consent to publish Not applicable Ethical Approval Ethical approval for this study was obtained from Makerere University, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources (SVAR), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Review Board (IRB) (Approval No.: SVAR-IACUC/174/2024 ), and the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) Research Ethics Committee (Approval No.: NS1079ES ). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. All procedures were conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.” Funding This study was partially funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MAK-RIF) (Grant number; MakRIF Round 4, 2022/23 ). Author Contribution AE: study conceptualization and design, data acquisition and analysis, writing and reviewing the manuscript. KB: data analysis, visualization, writing, and editing. JE, FM, AM, and DK: writing and reviewing. All authors have read and approved this manuscript for publication. Acknowledgement We gratefully acknowledge Makerere University for funding this research through the MakRIF 4 Grant, and for the opportunity to pursue PhD studies in a supportive environment. We also thank the Chief Administrative Officers of Kiruhura, Isingiro, Gomba, and Nakasongola for permitting research in their districts. Special thanks to the NADDEC administration for laboratory access, and to our colleagues for their valuable support during manuscript preparation. Data Availability All the data used in this study are presented in the tables, in the main text. References Abdi, I. H., Affognon, H. D., Wanjoya, A. K., & Onyango-, W. (2015). Knowledge , Attitudes and Practices ( KAP ) on Rift Valley Fever among Pastoralist Communities of Ijara District , North Eastern . 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0004239 Acosta, D., Ludgate, N., McKune, S. L., & Russo, S. (2022). Who Has Access to Livestock Vaccines? Using the Social-Ecological Model and Intersectionality Frameworks to Identify the Social Barriers to Peste des Petits Ruminants Vaccines in Karamoja, Uganda. Frontiers in Veterinary Science , 9 (February), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.831752 Arinaitwe, E., Atuhaire, D. K., Hasahya, E., K, N. G., Mwebe, R., Nizeyimana, G., Afayoa, M., Mwiine, F. N., & Erume, J. (2025). 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Diagnostics to make immunisation programmes more efficient, equitable, and effective. The Lancet Microbe , 3 (4), e242–e243. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2666-5247(22)00038-6 Kahariri, S., Thumbi, S. M., Bett, B., Mureithi, M. W., Nyaga, N., Ogendo, A., Muturi, M., & Thomas, L. F. (2024). The evolution of Kenya’s animal health surveillance system and its potential for efficient detection of zoonoses. Frontiers in Veterinary Science , 11 (June), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1379907 Kainga, H., Mponela, J., Basikolo, L., Phonera, M. C., Mpundu, P., Munyeme, M., Simulundu, E., & Saasa, N. (2022). Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards Rift Valley Fever among Livestock Farmers in Selected Districts of Malawi. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease , 7 (8). https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed7080167 Kainga, H., Phonera, M. C., Chatanga, E., Kallu, S. A., Mpundu, P., Samutela, M., Chambaro, H. M., & Kajihara, M. (2022). Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Rift Valley Fever in Livestock from Three Ecological Zones of Malawi . Maurice, A. D. S., Nyakarahuka, L., Purpura, L., Ervin, E., Tumusiime, A., Balinandi, S., Kyondo, J., Mulei, S., Tusiime, P., Manning, C., Rollin, P. E., Knust, B., & Shoemaker, T. (2018). Rift Valley Fever : A survey of knowledge , attitudes , and practice of slaughterhouse workers and community members in Kabale District , Uganda . 1–13. Mbolanyi, B., Egeru, A., & Mfitumukiza, D. (2017). Choice options to meet household food security in the cattle corridor of Uganda. Environment and Natural Resources Journal , 15 (1), 19–29. https://doi.org/10.14456/ennrj.2017.2 Muvunyi, C. M., Ngabonziza, J. C. S., Siddig, E. E., & Ahmed, A. (2025). Rift Valley Fever in Rwanda Is Urging for Enhancing Global Health Security Through Multisectoral One Health Strategy. Microorganisms , 13 (1). https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13010091 Namatovu, J., Lule, P., Asindu, M., & Campbell, Z. A. (2025). Gender roles in ruminant disease management in Uganda : Implications for the control of peste des petits ruminants and Rift Valley fever . 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320991 Ozturk, Y., Celik, S., Sahin, E., Acik, M. N., & Cetinkaya, B. (2019). Assessment of farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices on antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance. Animals , 9 (9). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9090653 Pepin, M., Bouloy, M., Bird, B. H., Kemp, A., & Paweska, J. (2010). Rift Valley fever virus (Bunyaviridae: Phlebovirus): An update on pathogenesis, molecular epidemiology, vectors, diagnostics and prevention. Veterinary Research , 41 (6). https://doi.org/10.1051/vetres/2010033 Population, N. (2024). Final report . 1 (December). Shabani, S. S., Ezekiel, M. J., Mohamed, M., & Moshiro, C. S. (2015). Knowledge, attitudes and practices on Rift Valley fever among agro pastoral communities in Kongwa and Kilombero districts, Tanzania. BMC Infectious Diseases , 15 (1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-015-1099-1 Smith, L. J., Schurer, J. M., Ntakiyisumba, E., Shyaka, A., & Amuguni, J. H. (2021). Rift valley fever knowledge, mitigation strategies and communication preferences among male and female livestock farmers in eastern province, Rwanda. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases , 15 (8), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009705 Tinto, B., Quellec, J., Cêtre-Sossah, C., Dicko, A., Salinas, S., & Simonin, Y. (2023). Rift Valley fever in West Africa: A zoonotic disease with multiple socio-economic consequences. One Health , 17 (February). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100583 Tufa, T. B., Gurmu, F., Beyi, A. F., Hogeveen, H., Beyene, T. J., Ayana, D., Woldemariyam, F. T., Hailemariam, E., Gutema, F. D., & Stegeman, J. A. (2018). Veterinary medicinal product usage among food animal producers and its health implications in Central Ethiopia. BMC Veterinary Research , 14 (1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-018-1737-0 Tumusiime, D., Isingoma, E., Tashoroora, O. B., Ndumu, D. B., Bahati, M., Nantima, N., Mugizi, D. R., Jost, C., & Bett, B. (2023). Mapping the risk of Rift Valley fever in Uganda using national seroprevalence data from cattle, sheep and goats. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases , 17 (5), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010482 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files 2932026QuestionnaireEnglish.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9231243","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":620103277,"identity":"c0723623-3cf2-4804-9957-9b031e526763","order_by":0,"name":"Eugene Arinaitwe","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA1klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACxgYIzd7AwEyiFp4DRGuBAYkEIrXwzz7c+Jjnl00ev+Qbw88FFTYM/O3dCfjNPpfYbMzbl1YsOTvHWHrGmTQGiTNnN+C35gxjmzRvz+HEDbdzDKR52w4zGEjk4tcif4ax/Tdvz//E/TfPGP8mSosB0BZmnh8HEjdI8JgRZ4vhGcZmybkNyYlAb5RZ85xJ4yHoF7kz7A8/vPljl9jffnjzbZ4KGzn+9l4C3gcBxjYQyWEAInkIKweDPyCC/QGRqkfBKBgFo2CkAQBeXEdW5V0MjwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"National Animal Disease Diagnostics and Epidemiology Centre (NADDEC)","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Eugene","middleName":"","lastName":"Arinaitwe","suffix":""},{"id":620103278,"identity":"130e2aa3-5eb1-42eb-a432-90d6a7b4dc50","order_by":1,"name":"David Kalenzi Atuhaire","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Makerere University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"David","middleName":"Kalenzi","lastName":"Atuhaire","suffix":""},{"id":620103279,"identity":"798c54af-6d1d-4373-b702-d1b4b0031cbf","order_by":2,"name":"Kelvin Bwambale","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Makerere University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Kelvin","middleName":"","lastName":"Bwambale","suffix":""},{"id":620103280,"identity":"14f44938-4a24-4a31-8b1a-886de476ae07","order_by":3,"name":"Mathias Afayoa","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Makerere University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mathias","middleName":"","lastName":"Afayoa","suffix":""},{"id":620103281,"identity":"b79bd2c6-1a83-464c-bc44-dc367cebf13c","order_by":4,"name":"Frank Norbert Mwiine","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Makerere University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Frank","middleName":"Norbert","lastName":"Mwiine","suffix":""},{"id":620103283,"identity":"d65a23c9-b25e-40a5-9d66-5d773cca5a4b","order_by":5,"name":"Joseph Erume","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Makerere University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Joseph","middleName":"","lastName":"Erume","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-03-26 08:23:08","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9231243/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9231243/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":106835791,"identity":"ee08f653-6bf1-4a5f-bdf7-bd45e82b65d7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-14 02:02:56","extension":"jpeg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":77669,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eMap of Uganda showing the study districts—Isingiro District, Kiruhura District, Gomba District, and Nakasongola District—where the study on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding Rift Valley fever among pastoralist communities was conducted.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9231243/v1/d4949616d204d8a8c7bd7788.jpeg"},{"id":107325738,"identity":"843c70f8-1407-4cbe-b7c3-7e14e5609916","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-20 11:27:10","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":960404,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9231243/v1/fe56ad30-36e4-47f6-aa40-80d903bc6b55.pdf"},{"id":106835790,"identity":"da76f49f-c437-40e6-9a64-6e754a6cf780","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-14 02:02:56","extension":"docx","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":65000,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"2932026QuestionnaireEnglish.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9231243/v1/f03337debafaffef2266eb9a.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Rift Valley fever among Livestock Farmers in Uganda","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eRift Valley fever is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease caused by the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), a member of the \u003cem\u003ePhlebovirus\u003c/em\u003e genus in the \u003cem\u003ePhenuiviridae\u003c/em\u003e family. It primarily affects livestock such as cattle, goats, and sheep, often resulting in high mortality among young animals and widespread abortions during outbreaks. The virus can also infect wild species like buffaloes, contributing to its ecological persistence (Arinaitwe et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransmission of this virus occurs mainly through bites from infected \u003cem\u003eAedes\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eCulex\u003c/em\u003e mosquitoes, though humans may also become infected through contact with animal blood or tissues, and to a lesser extent, via unpasteurized milk or aerosol exposure (Shabani et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). Outbreaks are typically triggered by prolonged rainfall and flooding, which create ideal breeding conditions for mosquito vectors (Arinaitwe et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRVF is endemic in East Africa and has been a recurrent problem in Uganda since it was first detected in 1944. The disease poses major public health and economic threats, especially in Uganda\u0026rsquo;s cattle corridor, where rural livelihoods depend heavily on livestock. Infected animals lead to direct income loss through mortality, decreased productivity, and restrictions on livestock trade (Tumusiime et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhile vector control and surveillance are essential for RVF prevention, farmer knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) play a critical role in influencing outbreak dynamics. Understanding of transmission routes, symptom recognition, and preventive practices such as vaccination are vital in minimizing the disease's spread (Haghdoost et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Maurice et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite the endemic nature of RVF and recurring outbreaks in Uganda\u0026rsquo;s cattle corridor, many livestock farmers remain unaware of its clinical signs, transmission pathways, and prevention methods. Previous studies have reported low awareness even among high-risk groups. For instance, after the 2016 outbreak, only 36% of livestock farmers and 51% of butchers could correctly identify symptoms of RVF in animals (Maurice et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). These gaps in knowledge and practice hinder effective disease control.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study therefore, aimed to assess the KAPs related to RVF among livestock farmers in four high-risk districts within Uganda\u0026rsquo;s cattle corridor. Findings from this research will inform targeted educational campaigns and veterinary interventions to improve RVF prevention, protect public health, and support the sustainability of the livestock sector.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methodology","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStudy design\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted between January 2021 and May 2024 among livestock farmers in selected districts of Uganda. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using pre-tested structured questionnaires (see Supplementary 1).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy Area\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted in Isingiro and Kiruhura districts in southwestern Uganda, and Gomba and Nakasongola districts in central Uganda, all located within Uganda\u0026rsquo;s cattle corridor (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThese areas were selected due to high livestock density, a history of Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreaks, and ecological conditions favorable for mosquito breeding, including bimodal rainfall and seasonal flooding. Livestock production is predominantly pastoral and agro-pastoral, characterized by communal grazing, frequent animal movement, and close human\u0026ndash;animal interaction, which increase the risk of RVF transmission.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eParticipants and Sampling\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStructured questionnaires were administered to livestock farmers whose animals were enrolled in the RVF sero-surveillance and strain characterization study. The study targeted farmers aged 18 years and above who owned cattle, goats, or sheep.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFarmers were selected through random sampling from households whose animals were sampled for blood collection. The number of participating households per district corresponded to the number of livestock herds randomly selected for the sero-surveillance component of the study.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccordingly, a total of 150 farmers were recruited across four districts: 43 from Kiruhura District, 39 from Gomba District, 31 from Nakasongola District, and 37 from Isingiro District. Each questionnaire was administered to the farmer or household head or farm manager, whose animals had been sampled, thereby ensuring a direct linkage between animal-level sampling and farmer-level data collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eData Collection Tools and Procedures\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA structured questionnaire covering demographics, livestock ownership, RVF knowledge, attitudes, practices, and risk perceptions was used. It was developed in English and translated into Runyankole and Luganda. The questionnaire included closed-ended, open-ended, and multiple-choice items. Pre-testing was conducted with 10 farmers in Gomba District, and feedback informed minor revisions. Data were collected using paper forms and later digitized into Kobo Toolbox for storage and analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eData Management and Analysis\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData were imported from Microsoft Excel into STATA version 14.2 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and proportions, were used to summarize categorical variables such as knowledge, attitudes, and practices items related to RVF. Continuous variables were summarized using means and standard deviations.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSocio-demographic characteristics of farmers who participated in the study\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA total of 150 livestock farmers were included in the study. Most respondents were male (80.7%), with a mean age of 45 years (SD\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;13). The majority (60%) had no formal education or only primary-level education, while 28% had secondary and 12% had tertiary education. Most participants (92.7%) reported farming as their primary occupation. Respondents were distributed across four districts, with the highest proportions from Kiruhura (28.7%) and Gomba (26.0%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocio-demographic characteristics of respondents (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"2\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharacteristic\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSummary measure\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDistrict, n (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGomba\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39 (26.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIsingiro\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37 (24.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKiruhura\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43 (28.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNakasongola\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31 (20.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender, n (%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29 (19.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e121 (80.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge in completed years, Mean (sd)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45 (13)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge category, n (%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLess than 30 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21 (14.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u0026ndash;49 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70 (46.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50 years and above\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59 (39.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHighest level of education, n (%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNone or primary\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90 (60.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSecondary\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42 (28.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTertiary\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18 (12.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOccupation, n (%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCivil servants\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 (5.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFarmer\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e139 (92.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOther\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3 (2.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKnowledge about RVF\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eKnowledge of Disease Occurrence and Diagnosis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOut of 150 farmers, 146 (97.3%) reported that RVF had not been confirmed in their herds in the past 12 months, while 2 (1.3%) were unsure. None (0%) reported a confirmed RVF case.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmong the 146 respondents who reported any basis for RVF diagnosis, 142 (97.3%) cited clinical signs as the sole basis of diagnosis. One farmer (0.7%) mentioned using laboratory methods, and three farmers (2.1%) mentioned using epidemiological methods for confirmation (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFarmers\u0026rsquo; knowledge on recent RVF occurrence and basis of diagnosis in selected districts of Uganda (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"2\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowledge Item\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the last 12 months, has RVF been confirmed in your herd? n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDo not know\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 (1.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e146 (97.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 (1.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat was the basis of your RVF diagnosis? n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;118\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eClinical\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e142 (97.26)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLaboratory\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 (0.68)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEpidemiological\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3 (2.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eKnowledge of Clinical Signs of RVF\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowledge of clinical signs of RVF among farmers was generally low. Among animal-related signs, the most recognized were sudden onset of abortion (35, 23.3%) and high fever (25, 16.7%). Only 22 (14.7%) identified high mortality of newborns, and even fewer recognized signs like profuse fetid diarrhea (18, 12.00%), weakness (18, 12.00%), or mucopurulent nasal discharge (12, 8.00%). Notably, the majority (72.7%, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;109) of farmers didn\u0026rsquo;t know the clinical signs in animals.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor human symptoms, high fever (30, 20.0%), headache (26, 17.3%), and hemorrhage (17, 11.3%) were the most commonly mentioned. However, recognition of other symptoms was limited, with muscle pain (14, 9.3%), backache (8, 5.3%), and blurred vision (5, 3.3%) being rarely identified. Again, the majority, (76.0%, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;114) of respondents indicated \u0026ldquo;didn\u0026rsquo;t know\u0026rdquo; the human signs of RVF, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFarmers\u0026rsquo; knowledge of clinical signs of RVF in animals and humans in selected districts of Uganda (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"2\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSign\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ea) Signs of RVF in animals, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHigh mortality of newborns\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e128 (85.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22 (14.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSudden onset of abortion\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e115 (76.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35 (23.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMucopurulent nasal discharge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e138 (92.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 (8.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeakness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e132 (88.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18 (12.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProfuse fetid diarrhea\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e132 (88.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18 (12.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHigh fever\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e125 (83.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25 (16.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDon\u0026rsquo;t know\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41 (27.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e109 (72.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eb) \u003cb\u003eSigns of RVF in Humans, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHemorrhage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e133 (88.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17 (11.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHigh fever\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e120 (80.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30 (20.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMuscle pain\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e136 (90.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14 (9.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlurred vision\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e145 (96.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5 (3.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBackache\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e142 (94.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 (5.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHeadache\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e124 (82.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26 (17.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDon\u0026rsquo;t know\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36 (24.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e114 (76.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eKnowledge of RVF Transmission\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowledge about how RVF is transmitted was generally low among respondents. Only 26 (17.3%) of the 150 farmers knew how RVF is spread, while 102 (68.0%) said they did not know, and 22 (14.7%) answered No.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhen asked whether RVF affects humans, only 47 (31.3%) correctly acknowledged that it does, while 64 (42.7%) didn\u0026rsquo;t know, and 39 (26.0%) believed it does not.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmong the 37 respondents who agreed that RVF can affect humans: 25 (53.2%) knew it can be transmitted by mosquito bites, and 24 (51.1%) mentioned eating raw or undercooked meat. Other known modes included drinking raw milk (25, 53.2%), touching an aborted fetus (18, 38.3%), and touching body fluids (18, 38.3%). Fewer mentioned sheltering animals in the house (11, 23.4%), while 10 (21.3%) didn\u0026rsquo;t know its transmission even after affirming that RVF affects humans.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOn who is at high risk: 40 (85.1%) identified herdsmen, and 26 (55.3%) mentioned butcher men as high-risk groups. Only 16 (34.0%) mentioned people who milk cows, and 10 (21.3%) noted people who cook meat, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFarmers\u0026rsquo; knowledge of RVF transmission and high-risk groups in selected districts of Uganda\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"2\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDo you know how RVF is spread? n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDon\u0026rsquo;t know\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e102 (68.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22 (14.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26 (17.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDoes RVF affect humans? n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDon\u0026rsquo;t know\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64 (42.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39 (26.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47 (31.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIf yes, how is it transmitted? n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;47\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ea) Touching an aborted foetus\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29 (61.70)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18 (38.30)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eb) Sheltering animals in the house\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36 (76.60)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11 (23.40)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ec) Drinking raw milk\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22 (46.81)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25 (53.19)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ed) Touching body fluids\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29 (61.70)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18 (38.30)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ee) Eating raw or undercooked meat\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23 (48.94)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24 (51.06)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ef) Mosquito bite\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22 (46.81)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25 (53.19)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eg) Don\u0026rsquo;t know\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37 (78.72)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 (21.28)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWho is at high risk of getting infected with RVF?, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;47\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHerdsmen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7 (14.89)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40 (85.11)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eButcher men\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21 (44.68)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26 (55.32)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeople who milk cows\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31 (65.96)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16 (34.04)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeople who cook meat\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37 (78.72)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 (21.28)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDon\u0026rsquo;t know\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45 (95.74)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 (4.26)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eKnowledge of Prevention and Control\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOnly 39 (26.0%) of the 150 farmers reported knowing measures to prevent the spread of RVF, while 67 (44.67%) said they did not know, and 44 (29.3%) answered \u0026ldquo;No\u0026rdquo;, which likely indicates no knowledge or were unsure.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmong the 39 respondents who claimed awareness of preventive measures: The most frequently mentioned method was sleeping under mosquito nets (20, 51.3%). Quarantine of animals was reported by 9 (23.1%), while boiling meat properly was mentioned by 16 (41.0%). Fewer respondents cited using gloves or personal protective equipment (5, 12.8%), and only 1 (2.6%) mentioned proper disposal of aborted fetuses, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFarmers\u0026rsquo; knowledge of RVF prevention and control measures in selected districts of Uganda\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"2\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDo you know the measures taken to prevent the spread of RVF?, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDon\u0026rsquo;t know\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67 (44.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44 (29.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39 (26.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIf yes, specify, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;39\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ea) Boiling meat and meat properly\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23 (58.97)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16 (41.03)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eb) Quarantine\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30 (76.92)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 (23.08)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ec) Sleeping under mosquito nets\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19 (48.72)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20 (51.28)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ed) Using gloves and PPE\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34 (87.18)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5 (12.82)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ee) Proper disposal of arbotus\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38 (97.44)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 (2.56)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eOverall knowledge regarding RVF among Farmers\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo measure knowledge, 30 items were used, with each correct response awarded one point and incorrect or \u0026ldquo;don\u0026rsquo;t know\u0026rdquo; responses scored zero, giving a maximum possible score of 30. The internal consistency of this scale, which assessed knowledge of clinical signs, transmission, and prevention and control of Rift Valley fever, was evaluated using Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha and yielded a coefficient of 0.95, indicating excellent reliability. For interpretation, knowledge levels were categorized as good (\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;75%, 23\u0026ndash;30 points), moderate (50\u0026ndash;74%, 15\u0026ndash;22 points), and poor (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;50%, 0\u0026ndash;14 points).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOut of the 150 livestock farmers interviewed, the majority 134 (89.3%) had poor knowledge of Rift Valley fever, while only 9 (6.0%) demonstrated moderate knowledge, and a small proportion 7 (4.7%) had good knowledge.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAttitude regarding RVF prevention and control\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOnly 56 (37.3%) of the 150 participants considered RVF an important disease in animals, while 78 (52.0%) were uncertain and 16 (10.7%) did not view it as important. When asked whether handling animals infected with RVF posed a problem, 67 (45.0%) responded yes, while 63 (42.3%) disagreed, and 19 (12.8%) were unsure.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegarding personal risk perception, 60 (40.0%) believed they were at risk of contracting RVF, but the majority (80, 53.3%) said they did not know, and 10 (6.7%) believed they were not at risk. On vaccination as a control measure, 60, 40.0%) recognized its usefulness, though the majority, 80 (53.3%) were unsure, and 10 (6.6%) rejected its value, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFarmers\u0026rsquo; attitudes toward RVF prevention and control in selected districts of Uganda (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"2\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAttitude\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDo you consider RVF an important disease in animals? n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDon\u0026rsquo;t know\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78 (52.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16 (10.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56 (37.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDo you consider handling animals infected with RVF a problem? n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDon\u0026rsquo;t know\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19 (12.75)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63 (42.28)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67 (44.97)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDo you consider yourself to be at risk of contracting RVF? n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDon\u0026rsquo;t know\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80 (53.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 (6.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60 (40.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDo you consider vaccination to be useful in controlling RVF in animals? n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDon\u0026rsquo;t know\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65 (43.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 (0.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e84 (56.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eOverall attitude towards RVF among Farmers\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAttitudes toward Rift Valley fever were assessed using four items on the importance of the disease, handling infected animals, perceived personal risk, and the usefulness of vaccination. Responses were coded as \u0026ldquo;No\u0026rdquo; = -1, \u0026ldquo;Don\u0026rsquo;t know\u0026rdquo; = 0, and \u0026ldquo;Yes\u0026rdquo; = 1, and the mean score across the four items was computed to generate an overall attitude score. The scale showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s α\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.77). Participants with a mean score of zero or less were categorized as having a negative attitude, while those with a score greater than zero were categorized as having a positive attitude toward RVF.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOut of the 150 livestock farmers interviewed, 81 (54.0%) demonstrated a positive attitude toward RVF recognition, risk perception, and prevention/control measures, while 69 (46.0%) had a negative attitude.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003ePractices regarding RVF prevention and control\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll 150 respondents (100%) reported that they had never vaccinated their animals against RVF. However, the vast majority (143, 95.3%) indicated that veterinary services were available in their area for RVF control, and nearly all (145, 97.3%) said they report sick or dead animals to veterinary authorities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDuring suspected disease outbreaks, most respondents (132, 88.0%) stated that they would report or call a veterinary doctor, while 24 (16.0%) would attempt treatment with antibiotics. Only 3 (2.0%) would sell the sick animal, 9 (6.0%) would isolate it, and 2 (1.3%) admitted they did not know what to do.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhen asked how they handled aborted fetuses, 60 (40.0%) said they gave them to dogs, while 54, 36.0% said they buried them, and 60 (40.0%) reported throwing them in the bush, practices that indicate potentially hazardous handling and disposal methods, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab7\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 7\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePractices related to RVF prevention and control among livestock farmers in selected districts of Uganda (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;150)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"2\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePractice\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEver vaccinated animals against RVF\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150 (100.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0 (0.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDo you have Veterinary services in the control of RVF?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7 (4.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e143 (95.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDo you report sick/dead animals to the authorities/Veterinary Doctors?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4 (2.68)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e145 (97.32)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat do you do when there is a disease/RVF outbreak?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ea) Report/call a veterinary doctor\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18 (12.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e132 (88.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eb) Treat with antibiotics\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e126 (84.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24 (16.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ec) Sell the animal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e147 (98.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3 (2.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ed) Isolate the sick animal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e141 (94.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 (6.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ee) I don\u0026rsquo;t know\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e148 (98.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 (1.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow do you handle aborted fetuses?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ea) Give them to the dogs\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90 (60.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60 (40.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eb) Bury them\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96 (64.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54 (36.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ec) Throw them in the bush\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90 (60.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60 (40.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eOverall practices against RVF among Farmers\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePractices toward RVF prevention and control were assessed using nine items, with incorrect practices (burying dead animals, treating with antibiotics, and isolating without veterinary guidance) reverse coded to ensure that higher scores reflected better practices. The scale had a Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha coefficient of 0.51, indicating low internal consistency. Each participant\u0026rsquo;s total practice score (range: 0\u0026ndash;9) was computed and categorized as good practice\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;75% (\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;7), moderate practice 51\u0026ndash;74% (5\u0026ndash;6), or poor practices\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;50% (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;5).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOut of the 150 livestock farmers, the majority 96 (64.0%) demonstrated good practices toward Rift Valley fever prevention and control, while 49 (32.7%) had moderate practices, and only 5 (3.3%) exhibited poor practices.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to RVF among livestock farmers in Uganda\u0026rsquo;s cattle corridor, a high-risk region for zoonotic disease outbreaks characterized by dense livestock populations (Kainga et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Despite frequent contact with animals, farmers demonstrated significant gaps in awareness, preparedness, and safe livestock handling, including limited knowledge of RVF symptoms, transmission routes, and preventive measures.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe demographic profile of respondents reflects the social and cultural patterns of rural communities in Uganda\u0026rsquo;s cattle corridor. Most of the respondents (80.7%) were male, which aligns with traditional gender roles in livestock management (Population, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Men typically make herd-related decisions, engage with veterinary services, and control animal ownership, while women often play supporting roles such as feeding, milking, or participating in small-scale marketing (Namatovu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). This gendered division of labor is common in pastoral communities across Africa and influences how animal health information is accessed, how diseases are reported, and how preventive practices are implemented (Namatovu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). Understanding these gendered roles is vital for designing targeted RVF education programs that engage both male decision-makers and women involved in daily livestock care.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe average age of respondents was 45 years (46.67%), reflecting a broader regional trend where middle-aged adults dominate the agricultural sector (Abdi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Maurice et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). These individuals typically possess significant experiential knowledge of livestock rearing but may show limited adaptability to new technologies and practices. The low involvement of younger people in livestock farming is concerning, echoing global trends of an aging agricultural workforce (Brooks, 2024; Habiyaremye et al., 2017). The predominance of middle-aged farmers reflects regional trends in which agricultural workforces are aging, limiting innovation and uptake of new practices. Strategies to engage youth in livestock production could enhance long-term resilience to zoonotic threats.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEducational attainment among respondents was generally low, with 60% lacking formal education or possessing only primary-level schooling. This mirrors broader trends in pastoralist communities across East Africa, where high school dropout rates are prevalent (Population, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). In Uganda, livestock management often relies on family labor, with school dropouts commonly filling this role. Low education levels among respondents likely contribute to limited RVF awareness and risky animal-handling behaviors (Haghdoost et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Health communication should therefore employ visual, oral, and participatory methods suited to low-literacy populations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe vast majority of participants (92.7%) identified themselves as farmers, indicating that agriculture, particularly livestock farming, plays a significant role in both the economy and daily life in Uganda\u0026rsquo;s cattle corridor (Mbolanyi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Respondents were primarily from Kiruhura (28.7%) and Gomba (26.0%) districts, renowned for their high livestock populations, suggesting greater engagement with animal health programs. This distribution points to potentially higher levels of awareness and participation in animal health initiatives in these areas, likely driven by the economic significance of livestock farming.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite RVF being endemic in parts of Uganda, 97.3% of farmers reported no confirmed cases in their herds over the past year. This likely reflects underreporting driven by weak veterinary infrastructure, limited diagnostics, low community awareness, and fear of economic repercussions (Hampton et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Kahariri et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Misdiagnosis of RVF as other livestock diseases further obscures its true prevalence. Strengthening farmer education, veterinary diagnostics, mobile services, and animal health worker training is essential to improve surveillance and early outbreak control.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOver 72% of participants could not identify RVF symptoms in animals, and 76% were unaware of signs in humans. While some mentioned abortions in livestock or fever in humans, critical indicators such as hemorrhage and neonatal mortality were rarely recognized (Kainga et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Awareness of RVF\u0026rsquo;s zoonotic nature was also low, with many unaware that transmission can occur through contact with infected animals or their fluids (Muvunyi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e; Smith et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Similar knowledge gaps and limited adoption of preventive measures have been reported elsewhere in Uganda and across the region. In Kabale District, for example, general awareness did not translate into vaccination uptake (Maurice et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e), while studies in Kenya and Malawi found comparable disconnects between knowledge and practice (Abdi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Chiuya et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). These findings highlight the persistent gap between awareness and behavioral change, underscoring the need for more effective, context-specific risk communication strategies.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOnly a minority of farmers understood RVF\u0026rsquo;s zoonotic transmission pathways, particularly risks associated with handling aborted fetuses or animal fluids. Such partial knowledge reinforces unsafe practices and highlights the need for integrated biosecurity training. Similar patterns are observed regionally; just 15.3% of respondents in Kenya and 9.5% in Malawi were aware of RVF transmission (Chiuya et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Kainga et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). In contrast, a study in Kabale District indicated a 53% awareness rate, likely attributed to public health efforts following the 2016 outbreak (Maurice et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). These findings highlight the need for targeted, community-level education that addresses RVF\u0026rsquo;s zoonotic nature and prevention practices.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEven among those aware of RVF\u0026rsquo;s zoonotic potential, transmission understanding was partial. More than half identified mosquito bites (53.2%), raw milk (53.2%), and undercooked meat (51.1%) as risks, yet fewer recognized higher-risk exposures, such as handling aborted fetuses (38.3%), contact with animal fluids (38.3%), or keeping livestock indoors (23.4%), all established transmission routes (Tinto et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Persistent misconceptions and partial knowledge can perpetuate unsafe practices, emphasizing the need for comprehensive education on all RVF transmission pathways. Recognition of high-risk groups was limited, and a gendered gap in knowledge may impede health interventions by neglecting women engaged in activities such as milking and cooking meat.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlthough most farmers associated RVF prevention with mosquito control, biosecurity measures such as safe disposal of animal waste, use of protective gear, and vaccination were poorly understood or practiced. This imbalance reflects the narrow framing of RVF as solely a vector-borne disease rather than a broader zoonotic threat. Similar trends in East Africa indicate an overemphasis on mosquito control, highlighting the need for targeted biosecurity education (Chiuya et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Addressing this imbalance through targeted education on comprehensive biosecurity measures is essential to reducing both human and animal vulnerability to RVF outbreaks.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur findings revealed mixed perceptions of RVF among farmers. Only 37.3% viewed it as a serious animal disease, and just 40% felt personally at risk, while 53.3% were unsure\u0026mdash;indicating poor public health communication and understanding (Kainga et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Although 56% believed vaccination is effective, none had vaccinated their animals, reflecting a gap between knowledge and practice, also observed elsewhere (Abdi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). Contributing factors include limited vaccine access, absence of a national RVF vaccination policy, and broader challenges such as cost, veterinary service availability, and awareness (Acosta et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Maurice et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReported practices were insufficient to prevent or control RVF. Although many farmers reported sick or dead animals and had access to veterinary services, improper use of antibiotics was common, despite their ineffectiveness against viral infections like RVF. This suggests poor understanding of disease etiology and contributes to antimicrobial resistance (Ozturk et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Tufa et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnsafe disposal of aborted fetuses was another major concern; 40% fed them to dogs, and 40% discarded them in bushes. These behaviors increase the risk of RVF transmission, as the virus can survive in infected tissues (Bird \u0026amp; Maclachlan, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e; Pepin et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). These findings point to an urgent need for training and sensitization in safe animal handling and biosecurity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe responses were self-reported, introducing potential recall and social desirability biases. Despite these limitations, the findings provide valuable insights for RVF awareness campaigns and targeted interventions for farmers.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn conclusion, the study highlights the urgent need for targeted health education to improve RVF knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Public awareness campaigns should focus on symptom recognition, zoonotic risk, and transmission routes. Interventions must also provide access to vaccines, diagnostics, and protective tools. Besides, a One Health approach is essential, integrating RVF education, community-centered vaccination, and mobile veterinary services. Culturally tailored programs that involve youth and women in livestock training can strengthen prevention efforts, boost community resilience, and ensure sustainable disease control. It also highlights significant knowledge and practice gaps regarding RVF among Ugandan farmers. Enhanced education, increased vaccine accessibility, and a community-driven One Health approach are vital for effective and sustainable disease prevention.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eConflict of interest\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eConsent to publish\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEthical Approval\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e Ethical approval for this study was obtained from Makerere University, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources (SVAR), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Review Board (IRB) (Approval No.: \u003cb\u003eSVAR-IACUC/174/2024\u003c/b\u003e), and the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) Research Ethics Committee (Approval No.: \u003cb\u003eNS1079ES\u003c/b\u003e). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. All procedures were conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFunding\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study was partially funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MAK-RIF) (Grant number; \u003cb\u003eMakRIF Round 4, 2022/23\u003c/b\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAE: study conceptualization and design, data acquisition and analysis, writing and reviewing the manuscript. KB: data analysis, visualization, writing, and editing. JE, FM, AM, and DK: writing and reviewing. All authors have read and approved this manuscript for publication.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgement\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe gratefully acknowledge Makerere University for funding this research through the MakRIF 4 Grant, and for the opportunity to pursue PhD studies in a supportive environment. We also thank the Chief Administrative Officers of Kiruhura, Isingiro, Gomba, and Nakasongola for permitting research in their districts. Special thanks to the NADDEC administration for laboratory access, and to our colleagues for their valuable support during manuscript preparation.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll the data used in this study are presented in the tables, in the main text.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbdi, I. H., Affognon, H. D., Wanjoya, A. K., \u0026amp; Onyango-, W. 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Rift Valley fever in West Africa: A zoonotic disease with multiple socio-economic consequences. \u003cem\u003eOne Health\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e17\u003c/em\u003e(February). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100583\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTufa, T. B., Gurmu, F., Beyi, A. F., Hogeveen, H., Beyene, T. J., Ayana, D., Woldemariyam, F. T., Hailemariam, E., Gutema, F. D., \u0026amp; Stegeman, J. A. (2018). Veterinary medicinal product usage among food animal producers and its health implications in Central Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eBMC Veterinary Research\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e14\u003c/em\u003e(1), 1\u0026ndash;7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-018-1737-0\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTumusiime, D., Isingoma, E., Tashoroora, O. B., Ndumu, D. B., Bahati, M., Nantima, N., Mugizi, D. R., Jost, C., \u0026amp; Bett, B. (2023). Mapping the risk of Rift Valley fever in Uganda using national seroprevalence data from cattle, sheep and goats. \u003cem\u003ePLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e17\u003c/em\u003e(5), 1\u0026ndash;20. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010482\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Rift Valley fever, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, livestock farmers, Uganda, zoonotic disease, One Health, epidemiology","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9231243/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9231243/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eRift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic disease causing livestock abortions, human infections, and major economic losses in Uganda\u0026rsquo;s cattle corridor, where dense livestock populations and recurrent outbreaks facilitate transmission. Despite its endemic nature, limited data exist on farmers\u0026rsquo; knowledge, attitudes, and practices, which are critical for understanding and controlling the disease.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA cross-sectional study (January 2021\u0026ndash;May 2024) assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding RVF among 150 randomly selected livestock farmers in Isingiro, Kiruhura, Gomba, and Nakasongola districts. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed in STATA 14.2, employing descriptive statistics to summarize KAP.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMost respondents were male (80.7%) with a mean age of 45 years; 60% had only primary or no formal education. Although 97.3% reported no confirmed RVF cases in their herds, awareness was low: 72.7% could not identify animal symptoms and 76.0% were unaware of human signs. Only 17.3% understood RVF transmission, while 56% recognized vaccination as useful, but none had vaccinated their animals. Unsafe practices were reported, including feeding aborted fetuses to dogs (40%) and discarding them in the bush (40%). Nevertheless, 97.3% reported sick or dead animals to veterinary authorities, and 95.3% had access to veterinary services, though preventive practice uptake remained minimal.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study reveals critical gaps in RVF knowledge and widespread unsafe practices among farmers, despite access to veterinary services, highlighting the need for targeted education, improved vaccine access, and strengthened One Health-based interventions.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Rift Valley fever among Livestock Farmers in Uganda","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-04-14 02:02:53","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9231243/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"0364a7eb-0262-4047-a90f-38a32068d411","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 14th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-20T11:26:07+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-04-14 02:02:53","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9231243","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9231243","identity":"rs-9231243","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}