Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Consumption of Contaminated Farm Produce by Aflatoxin in the Counties of Meru and Tharaka Nithi, Eastern Region of Kenya

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine knowledge, attitude and practices of the community regarding the dangers of consuming farm products infested by aflatoxin. The study setting was in two rural counties in the eastern ecologic zone of Kenya. Methods employed the use of a semi-structured questionnaire which was presented face to face to respondents at household level. Data were collected and entered via kobo tool kit into smartphones, identifying the geo-position of each household. A total of 718 households respondents provided information on the education level of heads of households, income, knowledge on aflatoxin, practices on handling farm harvested produce, and their attitude towards management of any spoilt produce. Results showed that only 37% of respondents knew what aflatoxin is. Only 26% of the respondents could identify aflatoxin-contaminated grain by colour. In practice, 56% reported that they fed the spoilt or rotting grain to their domestic animals and birds. The study conclusion was that the rural small-scale farmers in the study zones were not well informed that aflatoxin-contaminated grain consumed directly from spoilt grain or indirectly via animal products could gravely cause illness, poisoning or death.