Pages: (69-82 )
Abstract
A cross sectional study was conducted among cattle and livestock workers in Iwo and Ede, two Local Government Areas with central abattoirs in Osun State. A semi-structured questionnaire was employed to elicit information on the knowledge, attitude and practices of livestock workers in the areas regarding tuberculosis, while sputum samples were collected from willing respondents. Lesions suggestive of tuberculosis were purposively collected from slaughtered cattle at the central abattoirs. The samples were processed for the presence of mycobacterial species using a conventional culture method. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression at p value ≤ 0.05 significance level. Out of the 151 respondents, 49.0% had poor knowledge and 96.0% demonstrated poor attitudes towards TB. Reduced contact with animals or their carcasses was a strong predictor of knowledge (p=<0.0001) and attitude (p=<0.0001) among the respondents. Up to 98.0% did not put on protective clothing while working. Of the 73 sputum samples collected, 10.9% were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) and 2.7% for non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection. Besides, 26.96% of the 89 cattle with lesions suggestive of TB were positive for MTC and none for NTM. The low levels of knowledge and attitudes towards TB among the livestock workers in the study area remain an important factor to be considered in designing allinclusive control programmes against TB. The high TB prevalence of 26.96% and 10.9% in slaughtered cattle and livestock workers, respectively reiterates endemicity of mycobacterial infections in Nigeria. The need to step up enlightenment campaigns among livestock workers and enforce routine surveillance for mycobacterial infections in humans and animals are advocated.
Keywords: Cattle, Livestock workers, Mycobacterial infections, Transmission,