Biological and chemical health risks associated with smallholder dairy production in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi
Abstract
Approximatelyhalf of the world's population currently lives in towns and this is projected
to rise to over 60% by the year 2005. The major problem facing governments is production
offood supplies to feed this growing population. Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) is
expected to increase and contribute to feeding people in cities. However, UPA presents
challenges (risks) on environmental health, impacting on populations in the farming
families and workers, their neighbours, and in case of commercial enterprises, their
customers.A major concern is health risks of zoonotic origin such as Escherichia coli
0157:H7, bovine tuberculosis (BTB), brucellosis, cryptosporidiosis, leptospirosis and
anthraxamong others, and effects of antibiotic residues in milk produced by these farmers.
Thegoal of this study was to provide data to be used to improve human health by careful
analysis of benefits and health risks associated with urban agriculture. The broad objective
of the study was to assess the selected biological and chemical health risks namely bovine
tuberculosis, brucellosis and antibiotic residues in milk, associated with smallholder dairy
production systems in Dagoretti division of Nairobi City, Kenya.
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in Dagoretti Division of Nairobi
province. The study subjects were 300 dairy farming households and 150 non-dairy farming
neighbours selected randomly. Milk was analysed for presence of brucella antibodies using
the Brucelisa 160M® indirect Elisa test and antibiotic residues using the Charm Blue
Yellow Test® and Charm Rosa Tests®. Bovine tuberculosis detection in cows was done
using the Stormont test.A questionnaire was used to elicit information on risk predisposing
and risk mitigating practices.
Citation
Masters in Public HealthSponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
Department of Community Health ,University of Nairobi
Description
Master of Medicine