Live bird markets (LBMs) are essential for marketing poultry, but have been
linked to many outbreaks of avian influenza (AI) and its spread. In Uganda, it
has been observed that demographic characteristics of poultry traders/handlers
influence activities and decision-making in LBMs. The study investigated the
influence of socio-demographic characteristics of poultry handlers: age, sex,
religion, educational background, level of income, location of residence and
region of operation on 20 potential risk factors for introduction and spread of
AI in LBMs. Study sites included 39 LBMs in the four regions of Uganda. Data
was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 424 poultry
handlers. We observed that background of education was a predictor for
slaughter and processing of poultry in open sites. Location of residence was
associated with slaughter of poultry from open sites and selling of other livestock
species. Region influenced stacking of cages, inadequate cleaning of
cages, feeders and drinkers, and provision of dirty feed and water. Specifically,
bird handlers with secondary level of education (OR = 12.9, 95% CI: 2.88–
57.4, P < 0.01) were more likely to be involved in open site slaughter of poultry
than their counterparts without formal education. Comparatively, urbanite
bird handlers were less likely to share poultry equipment (OR = 0.4, 95% CI:
0.22–0.63, P < 0.01) than rural resident handlers. Poultry handlers in Northern
were 3.5 times more likely to practise insufficient cleaning of cages (OR = 3.5,
95% CI: 1.52–8.09) compared to those in Central region. We demonstrated
that some socio-demographic characteristics of poultry handlers were predictors
to risky practices for introduction and spread of AI viruses in LBMs in
Uganda.