Knowledge Regarding Japanese Encephalitis among Pig Farmers of Kathmandu and Morang Districts of Nepal

Abstract

A study was carried out from January to December 2012 among pig farming communities of Kathmandu and Morang districts of Nepal to determine knowledge regarding Japanese encephalitis (JE) disease. In this comparative study, 100 pig farmers were surveyed in each district Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection. The research observation revealed that the pig farming communities in both districts were poor, illiterate, having no training, highly dependent on pig farming occupation and some were landless. Comparatively, Kathmandu pig farmers had better education, training on pig farming and income status but less land ownership than Morang pig farmers. Male and female respondents were equal in Kathmandu and nearly equal in case of Morang district. There was significant difference (P<0.05) regarding knowledge of JE in two districts. In Kathmandu, 42% pig farmers were aware of JE while in Morang only 25% were having knowledge of it. Study district, literacy status and gender of pig farmers were significantly associated (P<0.05) with JE awareness. Literate farmers (41.5%) were more aware than illiterate (24.5%) and males (43.5%) were much aware than females (21.7%). There was also significant difference (P<0.05) between pig as vector for zoonotic disease and knowledge regarding JE.