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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Exotic & Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #383081
Research Project: Intervention Strategies to Prevent and Control Disease Outbreaks Caused by Emerging Strains of Avian Influenza Viruses

Location: Exotic & Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research

Title: Reducing zoonotic avian influenza transmission at household poultry slaughter using a behavior change tool for limited literacy audiences

Author
item CLARK, ANDREW - Consultant
item EID, SAMAH - Animal Health Research Institute
item HASSAN, MOHAMED - Animal Health Research Institute
item CARTER, KIP - University Of Georgia
item Swayne, David

Submitted to: Zoonoses and Public Health
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2022
Publication Date: 9/6/2022
Citation: Clark, A.A., Eid, S., Hassan, M.K., Carter, K., Swayne, D.E. 2022. Reducing zoonotic avian influenza transmission at household poultry slaughter using a behavior change tool for limited literacy audiences. Zoonoses and Public Health. 69(8):956-965. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12993.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12993

Interpretive Summary: Human infections in Egypt with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) are due to airborne transmission of HPAI virus (HPAIV) during the home slaughter process. The human cases have been predominately in women and children, who are the primary caregivers of household poultry. This study developed a Safe Contained Poultry Slaughter (SCOPS) procedure to reduce airborne HPAIV and zoonotic infections and simultaneously created an educational outreach tool showing the modified procedure, in 11- and 5-panel posters to reach limited literacy audiences. The posters were developed by collaboration between animal health professionals and the target audience Women’s Focus Groups (WFGs). Use of these educational materials were a factor in the reduction of zoonotic HPAI cases beginning in 2016.

Technical Abstract: Human infections in Egypt with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) likely due to airborne transmission of HPAI virus (HPAIV) during home slaughter of poultry predominately affect women and children, who are the primary caregivers of household poultry. This study developed a safe contained poultry slaughter procedure to reduce airborne HPAIV and zoonotic infections and simultaneously created an educational outreach tool for teaching the modified procedure. The tool designed for limited literacy audiences used two illustrated posters and handouts for teaching the safe contained poultry slaughter procedure. The posters were developed with advice of animal health professionals and then refined by target audience women's focus groups. These women's focus groups proved to be the critical step for assuring the understanding, acceptance, effectiveness and accuracy of the outreach tool. The safe contained poultry slaughter procedure was designed to be low or no cost, sustainable by using a universal implement found in village households and designed as a minor variation of standard poultry halal slaughter. It was crafted to be culturally appropriate and religiously acceptable.