Public Health Implications and Risk Factors Assessment of Mycobacterium bovis Infections among Abattoir Personnel in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Bovinetuberculosis(bTB)isachronicinfectiousandcontagiouszoonoticdiseaseofdomesticanimals,wildanimals,andhumans. Itposesapublichealththreatandeconomiclossesduetoabattoircondemnationofinfectedcarcassesduringmeatinspectionof slaughteredanimals.BovinetuberculosisiswidespreadinAfricaincludingNigeriaaffectingbothcattleandhumans,particularly Northern Nigeria. A prospective survey was conducted from June to August 2013 in the three Zonal abattoirs of Bauchi State, Nigeria. A total of 150 structured close-ended questionnaires were administered to abattoir personnel to assess their level of awareness of bTB. This study was aimed at determining the level of public health awareness, attitude, and practices of abattoir workers of bTB in Bauchi State, Nigeria. There was a statistically significant association between respondents’ awareness of bTB andtheiroccupationalstatus,age,anddurationofexposuretocattlecarcasses(𝑃 < 0.05);theoddsofbeingawareofbTBwere9.4, 7.3,and2.1,respectively.Inconclusion,thesedemonstratetheurgentneedforpublichealthauthoritiestointerveneinbTBcontrol. The risk of bTB transmission as indicated by the personnel’s practices and awareness levels in Bauchi State could be prevented throughtheuseofprotectiveclothing(PPEs).