The intersection of land use and human behavior as risk factors for zoonotic pathogen exposure in Laikipia County, Kenya.

ABSTRACT: A majority of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are zoonotic, mainly caused through spillover events linked to human-animal interactions. We conducted a survey-based human behavioral study in Laikipia County, Kenya, which is characterized by a dynamic human-wildlife-livestock interface. Questionnaires that assessed human-animal interactions, sanitation, and illnesses experienced within the past year were distributed to 327 participants among five communities in Laikipia. This study aimed to 1) describe variation in reported high-risk behaviors by community type and 2) assess the relationship between specific behaviors and self-reported illnesses. Behavioral trends were assessed in R via Fisher's exact tests. A generalized linear mixed model with Lasso penalization (GLMMLasso) was used to

SUBMITTER: Kamau J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7894889 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature