Perceived Threat of Zoonotic Infections in Abattoir Workers in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana: An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices

ABSTRACT Background Abattoir workers are more prone to acquiring zoonotic diseases. Despite this fact, there is often a lack of adequate knowledge and awareness among abattoir workers regarding zoonoses. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of abattoir workers in the Tama...

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Main Authors: Benjamin Nuhu Tingbani, Ezekiel Kofi Vicar, Stephen Apanga, Elijah Bisuman Sambian, Samuel Tamanyian Suuk, Edmond Nakinpaak Biibantib, Williams Walana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:Public Health Challenges
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.70056
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author Benjamin Nuhu Tingbani
Ezekiel Kofi Vicar
Stephen Apanga
Elijah Bisuman Sambian
Samuel Tamanyian Suuk
Edmond Nakinpaak Biibantib
Williams Walana
author_facet Benjamin Nuhu Tingbani
Ezekiel Kofi Vicar
Stephen Apanga
Elijah Bisuman Sambian
Samuel Tamanyian Suuk
Edmond Nakinpaak Biibantib
Williams Walana
author_sort Benjamin Nuhu Tingbani
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background Abattoir workers are more prone to acquiring zoonotic diseases. Despite this fact, there is often a lack of adequate knowledge and awareness among abattoir workers regarding zoonoses. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of abattoir workers in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana on zoonotic infections. Methods A cross‐sectional study design was used to capture participants at the Tamale abattoir in Ghana. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis and odds ratios were used to compare variables, and statistical significance was determined at a p value less than 0.05. Results A total of 245 participants were involved in this study. In assessing respondents’ knowledge, 90.2% knew that humans can get zoonotic diseases from the animals they handle. However, only 34.3% were ever trained or educated on zoonotic disease prevention (p = 0.004; OR = 2.25). Participants who used personal protective (p < 0.001; OR = 5.40) were more knowledgeable in zoonoses prevention. Participants who had poor knowledge on zoonoses were more likely to slaughter a sick animal (p < 0.001; OR = 3.56). Similarly, there was statistical significance between workers who did not report any case of sick or dead animals to the authorities (p < 0.001) and their level of knowledge. Conclusion The study revealed that abattoir workers with formal education were more likely to know about zoonotic disease prevention and to exhibit good preventive practices at the abattoir. Enhancing abattoir workers’ knowledge is crucial in preventing zoonotic diseases in the Tamale Metropolis.
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spelling doaj-art-0118d2b56def4b8480e499c655a792be2025-08-20T03:23:07ZengWileyPublic Health Challenges2769-24502025-06-0142n/an/a10.1002/puh2.70056Perceived Threat of Zoonotic Infections in Abattoir Workers in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana: An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and PracticesBenjamin Nuhu Tingbani0Ezekiel Kofi Vicar1Stephen Apanga2Elijah Bisuman Sambian3Samuel Tamanyian Suuk4Edmond Nakinpaak Biibantib5Williams Walana6School of Medicine University for Development Studies Tamale GhanaSchool of Medicine Department of Clinical Microbiology University for Development Studies Tamale GhanaSchool of Medicine Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine University for Development Studies Tamale GhanaSchool of Medicine University for Development Studies Tamale GhanaSchool of Medicine University for Development Studies Tamale GhanaSchool of Medicine University for Development Studies Tamale GhanaSchool of Medicine Department of Clinical Microbiology University for Development Studies Tamale GhanaABSTRACT Background Abattoir workers are more prone to acquiring zoonotic diseases. Despite this fact, there is often a lack of adequate knowledge and awareness among abattoir workers regarding zoonoses. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of abattoir workers in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana on zoonotic infections. Methods A cross‐sectional study design was used to capture participants at the Tamale abattoir in Ghana. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis and odds ratios were used to compare variables, and statistical significance was determined at a p value less than 0.05. Results A total of 245 participants were involved in this study. In assessing respondents’ knowledge, 90.2% knew that humans can get zoonotic diseases from the animals they handle. However, only 34.3% were ever trained or educated on zoonotic disease prevention (p = 0.004; OR = 2.25). Participants who used personal protective (p < 0.001; OR = 5.40) were more knowledgeable in zoonoses prevention. Participants who had poor knowledge on zoonoses were more likely to slaughter a sick animal (p < 0.001; OR = 3.56). Similarly, there was statistical significance between workers who did not report any case of sick or dead animals to the authorities (p < 0.001) and their level of knowledge. Conclusion The study revealed that abattoir workers with formal education were more likely to know about zoonotic disease prevention and to exhibit good preventive practices at the abattoir. Enhancing abattoir workers’ knowledge is crucial in preventing zoonotic diseases in the Tamale Metropolis.https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.70056abattoirGhanainfectionzoonoses
spellingShingle Benjamin Nuhu Tingbani
Ezekiel Kofi Vicar
Stephen Apanga
Elijah Bisuman Sambian
Samuel Tamanyian Suuk
Edmond Nakinpaak Biibantib
Williams Walana
Perceived Threat of Zoonotic Infections in Abattoir Workers in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana: An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
Public Health Challenges
abattoir
Ghana
infection
zoonoses
title Perceived Threat of Zoonotic Infections in Abattoir Workers in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana: An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
title_full Perceived Threat of Zoonotic Infections in Abattoir Workers in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana: An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
title_fullStr Perceived Threat of Zoonotic Infections in Abattoir Workers in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana: An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
title_full_unstemmed Perceived Threat of Zoonotic Infections in Abattoir Workers in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana: An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
title_short Perceived Threat of Zoonotic Infections in Abattoir Workers in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana: An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
title_sort perceived threat of zoonotic infections in abattoir workers in the tamale metropolis of ghana an assessment of knowledge attitudes and practices
topic abattoir
Ghana
infection
zoonoses
url https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.70056
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