Anthropology Component

This component addresses objectives one and two of the broader research project through a study titled “Community Adaptation to Malaria and Rift Valley Fever in Baringo County”.

Overall objective:

The overall objective is to examine community adaptation to malaria and RVF in Baringo county.

Specific objectives:

This overall objective is made up of the following specific objectives:

• To establish community knowledge of the relationship between climate change, malaria and RVF in Baringo.
• To determine the link between socio-cultural practices and vulnerability to malaria and RVF among communities in Baringo.
• To describe the effect of resource factors to community vulnerability to malaria and RVF in Baringo.
• To establish community strategies for coping with malaria and RVF in Baringo.

Methods:

The anthropology component applies a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data on knowledge, attitudes and practices around malaria and RVF was collected through an intra-household questionnaire survey. Qualitative data was collected through focus group discussions, key informant interviews and observation techniques. Focus group discussions were used to collect data on community characteristics, livestock production, diseases control and management as well as on community management and control of malaria and Rift Valley fever. The key informant interviews were aimed at informing the current situation of RVF and malaria in Baringo County and establishing scientific and traditional methods of managing and controlling the two diseases. Observations were also conducted in the assessment of bio-security measures applied in key markets, abattoirs and slaughter slabs in the study site to identify shortcomings that might increase community vulnerability to RVF.

Expected outputs:

The expected outputs of the anthropology component are:

• Estimates of knowledge levels of RVF and malaria
• Identification of practices that increase vulnerability to malaria and RVF
• Documentation of indigenous knowledge on management and control of malaria and RVF
• Identification of practical measures that enhance resilience to malaria and RVF

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