Nurturing care group approach for improving animal faeces management in Ghana

Animal faeces management (AFM) is key to avert zoonotic risks especially when integrated into water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions although largely neglected by conventional projects. This study focused on understanding the influence of Nurturing Care Group (NCG) approach on improving AFM in some communities within Savelugu Municipal and Sekyere East District Assemblies of Ghana. The study adopted a cross-sectional qualitative design using 12 focus group discussions and 20 in-depth-interviews with predominantly female members from 12 communities. Data analyses used inductive content analysis based on pre-structured themes from interview tools. We recorded 171 female and 4 male participants in the study. Household livestock were reared - fowls, goat, sheep, cattle and others (e.g., pets - cats, dogs, doves). The main motivation for keeping livestock was economic, nutritional and socio-cultural benefits including ritual functions, security and companionship. NCG intervention heightened awareness of safe AFM including penning, faeces composting, and other linked safe environmental sanitation practices. Barriers to uptake included lack of resources for constructing livestock shelters, lack of fodders during dry season hence scavenging, difficulty in securing veterinary services, and women inability to secure male household heads' support on AFM decisions. Local governance structures were not fully integrated particularly in Savelugu, and even in Sekyere East, leaders' commitment was unsustainable over time. Intervention could improve awareness on safe AFM, leading to some immediate but unsustainable behaviour change practices due to constraints that project designers should not overlook. In future, contextualized technical solutions and active involvement of key stakeholders with defined roles would be critical for sustainable uptake and impact.