Using participatory epidemiology tools to determine perceived risk factors for foot-and-mouth disease occurrence in selected sub-counties of Isingiro district in Uganda

Preliminary steps of the progressive control pathway for foot-and-mouth disease (PCP-FMD), underscores information on risk areas and risk factors for FMD circulation, as essential in development and implementation of appropriate control and elimination strategies. Isingiro district in Uganda, suffers annual FMD outbreaks despite controls implemented by the Government. Using participatory epidemiology (PE) approaches, we determined risk factors perceived important for FMD occurrence in selected sub-counties of Isingiro district. The PE tools involved use of focus group discussions (FGDs), transect walks, interviews with key informants (KIs) and structured questionnaires. Data from the FGDs and KI interviews were subjected to thematic framework analysis and highlighted that communal grazing, porous border, uncontrolled livestock movement, and livestock markets as major risk factors for FMD occurrence. Linear regression analysis of questionnaire data showed that households closer to the international border and Lake MburoNational Park reported more FMD outbreaks (OR 7.9 and 5.5, respectively). Communally grazed cattle and those that grazed in other villages were 8 times more likely to get FMD (OR 8.3 and 8.4, respectively) in contrast to paddocked or zero grazed cattle. This study highlights factors and physical features substantial for strategic FMD control in the two sub-counties of Isingiro district.