AssessmentoftheTechnicalCompetenceandEthical BehaviourofCommunity-basedAnimalHealthWorkersin MwingiDistrict,Kenya J.C. Rubyogo 1 , P.M. Murithii 2 , G.J.O. Agumbah 3 and G. Obhai 4 1 CentroInternacionald'AgriculturaTropical(CIAT),Box4387-00200,Nairobi; 2 DepartmentofVeterinaryServices,MwingiDistrict,Mwingi; 3 ClinicalStudies Department,UniversityofNairobi,Kangemi; 4 MonitoringandEvaluation/Data Specialist,Nairobi,Kenya *Correspondence:E-mail:j.c.rubyogo@cgiar.org Rubyogo, J.C., Murithii, P.M., Agumbah, G.J.O. and Obhai, G., 2005. Assessment of the technical competence and ethical behaviour of community-based animal health workers in Mwingi district, Kenya. TropicalAnimalHealthandProduction, 37(4), 267^276 ABSTRACT This paper describes an assessment of the technical competence and ethical behaviour of Community- based Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) in Mwingi District, Kenya. From 99 trained CAHWs, 40 participated in the study. Using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, direct observation of the relevant veterinary drug kits and participatory discussions, the study team found that the CAHWs knowledge of clinical signs of local livestock diseases and noti¢able and zoonotic diseases and their ability to use veterinary drugs correctly and safely were adequate. Marks were awarded to the candidates according to an agreed marking scheme between the CAHWs' trainers and study team members. The results showed that, overall, 36 out of 40 (90%) of the sampled CAHWs passed the tests. The existence of a referral system for CAHWs and refresher trainings helped to ensure that CAHW competence and ethical behaviour were maintained. However, it was also found that some areas of the current curriculum required more detailed input based on ¢eld experience. The CAHW system could serve as an alternative animal health care system in areas lacking veterinary services. Keywords: community-based animal health workers, competence, ethical behaviour, Kenya Abbreviations: AHA, Animal Health Assistant; AHSD, Animal Health Service Delivery; AHSP, Animal Health Service Provider; CAHW, Community-based Animal Health Worker; DVA, District Veterinary Authority; JAHA, Junior Animal Health Assistant INTRODUCTION Some critics of Community-based Animal Health Worker (CAHW) systems (mainly veterinary surgeons) believe that CAHWs lack the necessary skills, knowledge and ethical behaviour to be entrusted with prescription drugs and to provide basic animal health care. It is argued that CAHWs give unnecessary and wasteful treatment, resulting in losses to livestock producers and development of resistance to antibiotics and residues in animal food products (Dasebu etal ., 2003), thereby compromising the sale of animal food products in international and possibly in local and regional markets. TropicalAnimalHealthandProduction, 37 (2005) 267^276 # 2005 Springer. Printed in the Netherlands 267