Retrospective study on bovine tuberculosis and evaluation of abattoir personnel’s knowledge and preventive practices in Taraba State

Obialigwe, Tochukwu Fortunetus; AIYEDUN, Julius Olaniyi; OLUDAIRO, Oladapo Oyedeji; KEHINDE, Olugbenga Olusegun; Uko, Iranyang Bazon; TANIMU, Elizabeth

doi:10.21608/mid.2024.296068.1987

Retrospective study on bovine tuberculosis and evaluation of abattoir personnel’s knowledge and preventive practices in Taraba State

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal university Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

² Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

³ Department of Veterinary Public Health and Reproduction, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

⁴ Department of Animal Health and Production Technology, Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria

10.21608/mid.2024.296068.1987

Abstract

Background: Bovine tuberculosis is a zoonotic disease with severe public health implication. The objectives of this study were to retrospectively determine the prevalence of suspected bovine tuberculosis carcass inspected at the slaughter slab from the year 2012 to 2022 in Jalingo abattoir, Taraba State, Nigeria; and to assess the knowledge and preventive practices regarding bovine tuberculosis among abattoir personnel, using questionnaire. Methods: The study adopted a retrospective design. And records of bovine tuberculosis encountered during meat inspection at Jalingo abattoir over a period of 11 years (January 2012–December 2022) were extracted from the veterinary record book at Jalingo abattoir Veterinary Office. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate the knowledge and practices regarding bovine tuberculosis among abattoir personnel at the study areas abattoirs. Results: The findings of the study were that: Bovine tuberculosis was found to have a prevalence of 3.54% in cattle slaughtered in Taraba State in the retrospective. Seasonal prevalence indicated a slightly higher prevalence during the rainy season 3,428/90,750 (3.6%) compared to the dry season 3.4% (2,364/67,108) in the retrospective study. The surveyed abattoir workers had a fair knowledge (51% knowledge) of bovine tuberculosis. Moreso, the preventive practice level among the abattoir workers in this study was suboptimal. Conclusion: These findings highlighted the presence of bovine tuberculosis in slaughtered cattle in Taraba State. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing preventive practices and improving awareness among abattoir personnel to mitigate the transmission of bovine tuberculosis. Further measures should be taken to control and monitor bovine tuberculosis in order to safeguard public health.

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