Knowledge, Perceptions and Effects of Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak on the Pig Value Chain in the Agro-pastoralist District of Luwero, Central Uganda

Abstract Background: Ebola outbreaks have continued to affect the health, wellbeing and livelihoods of communities. In particular, Ebola response interventions affect food value chains, food and income security of pig farming communities. There is paucity of information on the effect of Ebola outbreak on the pig value chain as well there is a gap on the knowledge and perceptions of those engaged in the pig value chain on Ebola. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the knowledge, perceptions on the occurrence of Ebola and its effects on the pig value chain in the agro-pastoral district of Luweero, Central Uganda.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in two parishes of Ssambwe and Ngalonkulu, Luwero district. A total of 229 respondents were included in the study. Structured questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to collect data. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 22 while qualitative data was analysed using thematic content analysis.Results: Of the 229 respondents, 95.6% could recall the occurrence of the last Ebola outbreak in their locality. The proportion of respondents that associated touching pigs or eating pork with acquisition of Ebola virus was 24.5%. Ebola was perceived as a spiritual manifestation of witchcraft activities. Traditional healers were among the first line of health care providers to Ebola patients in the outbreak. There was no significant association between the perceived human practices such as bush meat consumption, contact with wild animals and acquiring of Ebola virus. The number of pigs sold during the outbreak was significantly reduced (p= 0.001) and this normalized 2 months after the area was declared Ebola free. There was a significant reduction (p= 0.03) in consumption of pork, as well as the unit cost per kilogram of pork during the Ebola outbreak due to fear of acquiring the disease from pork. Conclusion: The study showed that the pig value chain was negatively affected by Ebola outbreak. Therefore, there is need to sensitize the stakeholders on Ebola in order to minimize the negative economic impacts associated with EVD outbreaks.