August 2016 Vol. 4 No.8

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Original Research Article

Evaluation of the Effects of Pastoral Nomadism on the Public Health of Crop Farmers in Ohafia, Abia State, Nigeria

Goodhead C. Uchendu^1*, Emea O. Arua² and John I. Ihedioha¹

¹Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State Nigeria.
²Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author’s Email: goodheadisgood@yahoo.com
Tel.: +234(0)8060216207

Accepted June 15, 2016

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of pastoral Nomadism on the public health of crop farmers in Ohafia, Abia State, Nigeria. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were adopted to survey 8 directly Nomad affected and 3 unaffected out of the 26 communities. Primary data were sourced using structured questionnaire, a non-participatory observation scheme and interview for the non-literate crop farmers and nomadic respondents. Using questionnaire and hospital line list the origin and migratory pattern of the nomads, the healthiness of the affected and unaffected farmers were compared across time. Indicators like frequency of hospitalization (illness), use of diagnostic laboratories and/or self medication and estimated direct and indirect cost of the outbreak of the Nomads were used. Results showed that the activities of the Nomads caused pollution of lands and water bodies and transmission of zoonotic diseases through litter from the livestock; higher rates of hospitalization and more cost in chemotherapy by affected crop farmers. Authors advocate construction of sedentary resident for the nomads and development of fiscal and land tenure policies that shall provide the nomads with user rights; stopping attacks from either party.

Keywords: Nomadism, Zoonoses, Ohafia