Poultry purchase in response to avian influenza in Vietnam: a qualitative exploration

Abstract

Vietnam has been a major epicenter of A/H5N1 avian influenza. Despite population recognize of the risk of avian influenza from poultry, improper poultry handling practices remain prevalent in Vietnam. This qualitative study explored behaviors related to buying poultry and community adaptations to the risk of A/H5N1. Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted with 38 Vietnamese who were either poultry raiser, traders or consumers. Data were audio-taped, transcribed and translated from Vietnamese into English, and analyzed based on ethnographic principles. Three major themes emerged from the interviews reflected purchase strategies of buyers to avoid risk of A/H5N1: 1. Reliability of retailer, 2. Appearance and behavior of the poultry and 3. Co-occurrence of active A/H5N1 outbreaks. These purchase strategies could only provide assurance for people to continue poultry purchase rather than real protection against avian influenza. Strategies that required close contact between poultry and human could exposure people to even greater A/H5N1 risk. © 2013 Taylor & Francis Group.