Abattoir Workers’ Perceptions, Knowledge and Practices of Severity and Susceptibility to Zoonoses in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abattoir workers constitute a major group at risk of occupational zoonoses due to the close contact during the slaughtering or processing of animals. This study therefore aimed at determining the perception, knowledge and practices relating to meat handling among abattoir workers in Bodija abattoir, Ibadan, Nigeria. A cross- sectional study of 258 workers in Bodija abattoir, Ibadan, Nigeria was carried out. Data was collected using pretested interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire containing questions with sections on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of zoonoses, practices related to meat handling, perceived severity, perceived susceptibility. Knowledge of zoonoses and practices related to meat handling were categorized as good and poor while perceptions were categorized as high and low based on the scores of the correctness of the respondents’ responses. Data was put into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (SPSS) version 20. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and percentages were used to summarize quantitative variables. Chi-square, odds ratio and logistic regression were used to assess associations using 95% confidence interval (CI). The mean age of the respondents was 40.1 +12.2. Most were males (69.8%). About 49.2% of the abattoir workers had good knowledge of zoonoses. About a quarter (24.4%) had good practices related to meat handling. At multiple logistic regression being a male (OR = 2.93, 95% C.I. = 1.11 – 7.76) and having primary education (OR = 0.07, 95% C.I. = 0.01 – 0.59) were significantly associated with good knowledge of zoonoses. Similarly, being a male (OR = 2.35, 95% C.I. = 1.13 – 4.76), having good practices related to meat handling (OR = 7.60, 95% C.I. = 2.95 – 19.57), those with high perceived severity (OR = 1.82, 95% C.I. = 1.82 – 7.05) and those with high perceived susceptibility (OR= 2.08, 95% C.I. =1.07 – 4.05) were significantly associated with good knowledge of zoonoses. The level of knowledge of zoonoses and practices related to meat handling among abattoir workers was poor. This suggests that abattoir workers are at risk of contracting occupational zoonoses. The association of knowledge with high perceived severity and susceptibility to zoonoses indicates the need for continuous public health educationamong the abattoir workers.