Table 3.
Extent of knowledge and awareness of farmers who knew about aflatoxins in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on aflatoxin contamination
| Factors | Response (N = 127) |
|---|---|
| 1. Occurrence of aflatoxins | |
| 1.1 Aflatoxins can be present in crops | 108 (84.7)a |
| 1.2 Aflatoxin contamination occurs at any time of plant growthb | 104 (96.0) |
| 1.3 Aflatoxins can be transferred to animals | 64 (50.0) |
| 1.4 Aflatoxins can be transferred into milk and dairy products | 69 (54.0) |
| 1.5 Aflatoxins can be transferred into breast milk | 80 (63.3) |
| 1.6 I am aware of aflatoxin contamination in crops in the field and during storage | 38 (30.0) |
| 1.7 I am aware of aflatoxins in foods on the table after harvest | 39 (30.7) |
| 1.8 I am aware of aflatoxins in milk and dairy products | 46 (36.0) |
| 2. Cause of aflatoxin contamination | |
| 2.1 Aflatoxins are caused by fungi | 75 (59.3) |
| 2.2 High levels of rain during harvesting | 102 (80.7) |
| 2.3 Delayed harvesting | 80 (63.3) |
| 2.4 Delayed drying | 94 (74.0) |
| 2.5 Insect infestation causes | 97 (76.0) |
| 2.6 Broken and bruised crops increase a chance of contaminations | 90 (70.7) |
| 2.7 Crops which contain foreign materials promote aflatoxins | 80 (63.3) |
| 2.8 Poor storage conditions promote aflatoxin contamination in crops | 107 (84.0) |
| 3. Effect of aflatoxin contaminations | |
| 3.1 Fungi produce toxic compounds | 95 (74.7) |
| 3.2 Crops that differ in taste promote aflatoxins | 85 (66.7) |
| 3.3 Crops that are discolored produce aflatoxins | 100 (78.7) |
| 3.4 Aflatoxin contamination reduces animal productivity | 66 (52.0) |
| 3.5 Aflatoxin contamination causes stunting in animals | 12 (9.3) |
| 3.6 Aflatoxin contamination causes fever in animals | 0 (0.0) |
| 3.7 Aflatoxin contamination cause death in animals | 0 (0.0) |
| 3.8 I am aware of the harmful effects of aflatoxins on humans | 62 (48.7) |
| 3.9 I am aware the effects of aflatoxins on animals | 69 (54.0) |
| 3.10 Some liver diseases have been linked to intake of aflatoxins | 93 (73.3) |
| 3.11 Aflatoxins cause cancer in humans | 90 (70.7) |
| 3.12 Aflatoxins delay child growth | 102 (80.7) |
| 3.13 Aflatoxin contamination can reduce the price of crops | 106 (83.3) |
| 3.14 Aflatoxin‐contaminated food cannot be exported to some countries | 82 (64.7) |
a
Number of occurrence (percentage occurrence).
b
N = 108 (only the farmers who can answer question 1.1 were then asked question 1.2).