Effects of livestock related gender roles on pastoral children and their implication to RVF risk exposure

Abstract Background: Children in pastoral communities play a significant role in herding livestock, placing them at a high risk of exposure to zoonotic pathogens such as the Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus. However, socioeconomic studies on knowledge, attitude and practices on RVF often involve adults and community trainings that are usually implemented to bridge knowledge gaps seldom involve children. Understanding how gender roles influence risk exposure is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. Aim: This study sought to investigate how gender roles influence the vulnerability of pastoralist boys and girls to RVF in Isiolo County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to examine how the livestock-related roles of boys and girls in the pastoralist communities increase their risk of RVF, establish the knowledge that pastoralist boys and girls have about RVF and assess how livestock roles affect the lives of boys and girls in the pastoral communities. Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted in Isiolo County, Kenya. Data were collected using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with vignettes and key informant guides. Twelve sex-disaggregated focus group discussions of 106 discussants and 17 key informants were conducted. Data was transcribed, coded and analyzed in NVivo 14. Findings: We found that boys and girls had varying levels of knowledge about RVF, with boys showing a deeper understanding of RVF. Both girls and boys engage in livestock roles that expose them to RVF risk. Beyond RVF, pastoralism affects children’s access to education, health, and leisure time and exposes them to food insecurity. Conclusion: We conclude that both boys and girls face RVF risk, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and strategies that move beyond a general approach to RVF prevention within pastoralist communities. This is vital, as exposure pathways and vulnerabilities may differ due to gendered roles and responsibilities. One Health impact statement This research utilized a qualitative approach to explore the influence of gender-based roles on RVF exposure risks among boys and girls within pastoralist communities. By investigating the intersection of gender, culture, and disease dynamics, the study demonstrates the value of a One Health perspective, bringing out a critical group- children, that many times are forgotten. It reveals how distinct, gendered livestock-related roles shape differential exposure risks and knowledge gaps, especially among children, impacting both human and animal health. This interconnected understanding highlights the need to move beyond siloed approaches, demonstrating that a comprehensive analysis of socio-cultural factors, alongside epidemiological data, is essential for a holistic understanding of RVF transmission and exposure risks within pastoralist systems. This study emphasizes the One Health principle that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are inextricably linked, providing a foundation for future research and interventions that recognize the complex dynamics of zoonotic diseases in these communities.