Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Volume 2015, Article ID 718193, 5 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/718193

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

A. S. Sa’idu,1 E. C. Okolocha,1 A. A. Dzikwi,1 A. A. Gamawa,2 S. Ibrahim,3

J. K. P. Kwaga,1 A. Usman,4 and S. A. Maigari5
1
Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, PMB 1013, Zaria,
Kaduna State, Nigeria
2
Area Veterinary Clinic (Kofar Ran), Ministry of Animal Resources and Normadic Resettlement, Bauchi State, Nigeria
3
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, PMB 1013,
Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
4
TB Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, PMB 1013,
Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
5
University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Correspondence should be addressed to A. S. Sa’idu; [email protected]

Received 16 August 2014; Accepted 22 December 2014

Academic Editor: Fulvia Bovera

Copyright © 2015 A. S. Sa’idu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License,
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic infectious and contagious zoonotic disease of domestic animals, wild animals, and humans.
It poses a public health threat and economic losses due to abattoir condemnation of infected carcasses during meat inspection of
slaughtered animals. Bovine tuberculosis is widespread in Africa including Nigeria affecting both cattle and humans, 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
and their occupational status, age, and duration of exposure to cattle carcasses (𝑃 < 0.05); the odds of being aware of bTB were 9.4,
7.3, and 2.1, respectively. In conclusion, these demonstrate the urgent need for public health authorities to intervene in bTB control.
The risk of bTB transmission as indicated by the personnel’s practices and awareness levels in Bauchi State could be prevented
through the use of protective clothing (PPEs).

1. Introduction programmes for animal tuberculosis are lacking in most

African countries. In Nigeria, there have been limited studies
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic infectious and con- to determine the prevalence and relationship between bovine
tagious zoonotic disease of domestic animals, wild animals, and human TB especially with the emerging culture of eating
and humans [1]. It also occurs in a wide range of mam- improperly cooked beef and mutton, along with the drinking
malian species [2]. It is characterized by the formation of of unpasteurized fresh milk [5, 6]. Raufu and Ameh [7]
granulomas in tissues especially in the lungs, lymph nodes, reported an estimated annual economic loss from bTB in
liver, intestines, and kidney [3]. Tuberculosis is a major Nigeria and its environs (due to organ/carcass condemnation
health problem, with 8-9 million new cases and 3 million in cattle) of about 14-24 million Naira. So also [8] reported
deaths annually worldwide [4]. The majority of these occur an economic loss of 113, 871,014 ($110,968) per annum with
in the developing nations. Because control and eradication associated public health implications due to tuberculosis
 6963, 2015, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2015/718193 by Readcube (Labtiva Inc.), Wiley Online Library on [06/06/2025]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
2 Journal of Veterinary Medicine

as major reasons for condemnations in some abattoirs in 13,900,000 [18]. The state has a human population of 4,653,
Western-Nigeria. 066, which ranked 11th of the 36 states, density of 95 km2
Bovine tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium bovis (250 g/m2 ), and per capita income of $983 [19].
which is a member of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex Bauchi State has a total of 55 tribal groups in which Hausa,
[9, 10]. The aetiological agents of mammalian tuberculosis, Fulani, Gerawa, Sayawa, Jarawa, Bolewa, Karekare, Kanuri,
classified as members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Fa’awa, Butawa, Warjawa, Zulawa, and Badawa are the main
complex (MTBC), include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. tribes. This study was carried out in Bauchi, Katagum, and
bovis, M. microti, M. caprae, M. africanum, M. canettii, and Misau Local Government Areas (out of the 20 LGAs), each
M. pinnipedii. Mycobacterium africanum consists of a rather representing the three senatorial zones as Bauchi south,
heterogeneous group of strains isolated from humans in Bauchi north, and Bauchi central with populations of 493,810,
Africa [11]. Mycobacterium bovis, otherwise known as the 295,970, and 263,487, respectively.
bovine tubercle bacillus, is the cause of bovine tuberculosis
and the organism may be transmitted by aerosol or droplets 2.2. Questionnaire Distribution. A total of 113 structured
of exudates containing the bacilli. It can be transmitted by close-ended questionnaires were retrieved from and analysed
ingestion of feed and water contaminated with urine, faecal after the distribution to abattoir staff focused on assessing the
material, or exudates from diseased animals that contain level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of bTB transmission
the tubercle bacilli [12]. In rare cases, humans can become from slaughtered cattle to man and vice versa. Assessment of
infected with M. bovis via direct inoculation [13]. Referred their level of awareness was based on biodata (demographic
to as Butcher’s Wart (analogous to Prosector’s Wart, which is features), knowledge (zoonotic nature and symptoms of TB
caused by M. tuberculosis and is an occupational risk associ- in humans), attitude (vaccination status of abattoir staff),
ated with performing autopsies), this skin lesion can occur in practice (use of protection while handling carcasses), and
persons handling infected meat. It is very rare and generally other risk factors and scoring recall format of “0–8” was
self-limiting. Because M. bovis is either enzootic or found adopted as criteria for a respondent to be regarded for
sporadically in much of the developing world, there is clearly analysis as described by Waller et al. [20]. Personnel selection
a risk of cow to human transmission by either ingestion from each abattoir included in the study was also based on
or inhalation [14]. As a result of the lack of surveillance compliance with the interviewer and punctuality in daily
data, the actual scope of the problem is unknown. However, abattoir activities.
from the public health perspective, eradication programs
in cattle and universal pasteurization of milk remain the
main stays of the prevention of a disease in humans that is 2.3. Data Analysis. Data were analysed using statistical pack-
caused by transmission from cows. These measures should be age for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Chi- square (𝜒2 )
augmented by public education efforts explaining the dangers was used to determine possible association between variables
of consuming unpasteurized dairy products in areas where and M. bovis. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval
M. bovis disease in humans is more common. were calculated to measure the strengths of association
The bovine tubercle bacilli is usually assigned to bTB in between variables and bTB (M. bovis). Tables and bar charts
cattle and sometimes could be used to denote M. bovis of were constructed using Microsoft Excel 2010. Values of 𝑃 <
the tubercle bacillus irrespective of the host. Bovine tubercle 0.05 were considered significant.
bacillus has one of the broadest host ranges of all known
pathogens. The species has been reported in domesticated 3. Results
and feral Bovidae. Other species in which the disease has
been reported include goat, sheep, pig, horse, cat, dog, fennec Majority of the respondents had contact with cattle for
fox, bison, buffalo, badger, wild and feral pig, antelope, over 3 years (81.40%) (Table 1). A significant number (57
camel, man, and nonhuman primates [15]. Cattle movements, (50.46%)) of them did not wear protective clothing when
particularly those from areas where bTB is reported, are the being in contact with cattle carcasses, despite the protection it
best predictors of disease occurrence [16]. gives against zoonotic transmission. This indicated their high
risk of the zoonotic transmission, with the exception that a
significant number (59.81%) of abattoir personnel consume
2. Materials and Methods boiled milk in recognition of the risk of contracting bTB and
Brucellosis in fresh milk (unpasteurised milk). This study
2.1. Study Area. Bauchi State occupies a total land area of showed significant (𝑃 < 0.05) association between awareness
49,119 km2 representing about 5.3% of Nigeria’s total land of the respondents of bTB and their occupational status, age,
mass and is located between latitudes 9∘ 3󸀠 and 12∘ 3󸀠 north and duration of exposure to cattle carcasses, and the odds
of the equator and longitudes 8∘ 50󸀠 and 11∘ east of the Green- of being aware of bTB by their level of awareness were 9.36,
wich Meridian [17]. The state is bordered by Kano and Jigawa 7.29, and 2.06, respectively (Table 2). However, majority of the
State to the north, Taraba State and Plateau State to the south, respondents believed in the importance of use of protective
Gombe State and Yobe State to the east, and Kaduna to the clothing while working, 94.7% (107/113), and 3.60% (4/113)
west. The state is highly populated with cattle mainly owned had not. Likewise, on its zoonotic nature, 90.3% (102/113)
by Fulani herdsmen. The cattle population is estimated at knew that bTB can be contracted from cattle. Some of the
1,789,000, about 13% of the Nigerian cattle population of respondents (41.6% (47/113)) had received childhood BCG
 6963, 2015, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2015/718193 by Readcube (Labtiva Inc.), Wiley Online Library on [06/06/2025]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
Journal of Veterinary Medicine 3

Table 1: Demographic features and awareness of the respondents 120

(abattoir staff, 𝑛 = 113) of bTB in Bauchi State, Nigeria.
100
Variables Number (%) of respondents 80
Abattoir location
60
Hardawa (Misau) 20 (17.70)
Azare (Katagum) 33 (29.20) 40
∗
Inkil (Bauchi State) 60 (53.10) 20
Occupation of respondents
∗ 0
Butchers 45 (39.80)
Aware of Aware of Know the Use of Vaccination
Veterinarians 25 (22.50) zoonoses bTB as a symptoms of protective history
zoonotic TB clothing
Animal scientists 12 (10.60) disease
Other abattoir staff 31 (27.40) Yes Do not know
Age groups of respondents No
16–25 16 (14.29) Figure 1: Level of respondents’ awareness of bTB as a zoonotic
∗
26–35 44 (39.29) disease, attitude, and practices of abattoir staff (by their knowledge
36–45 31 (27.68) of disease transmission from cattle, the zoonotic nature of bTB,
≥46 21 (18.75) common clinical signs of TB in humans, importance of use of
protective clothing, and vaccination history, resp.), in Bauchi State,
Sex of respondents
∗ Nigeria.
Males 101 (90.99)
Females 10 (9.01)
Education level of respondents
Primary 18 (16.07) Public health (zoonotic) risk associated with the respon-
dents’ awareness and practices of bTB found in this study
Secondary 21 (18.75)
∗ had agreed with the report of Cadmus and Adesokan [8]
Tertiary 50 (44.64)
who reported an economic loss of N13, 871,014/annum with
Informal 10 (8.93) associated public health implications due to tuberculosis
None 13 (11.61) (7.95%) as major reasons for condemnations in some abattoirs
∗
Significant higher values. in Western Nigeria. This also agreed with the report of
Cadmus et al. [21] and Bello et al. [22], on management
of slaughter houses in Northern Nigeria, who reported that
none of the major abattoirs in Northern Nigeria met the min-
vaccine while 30.1% (34/113) had not and 28.3% (32/113) had
imum hygienic standard of operation as recommended by
not known their vaccination status (Figure 1).
the Codex Alimentarius and they could not have supported
the production of safe meat and meat products for human
4. Discussion consumption.
The statistically significant association between aware-
In the public health risk analysis of bTB found in this study, ness of the respondents of bTB and occupational status found
there were more respondents in Bauchi abattoir (53.10%) in this study had agreed with the report of Tigre et al.
compared to Misau and Katagum abattoirs. Butchers made [23] who carried out a survey on dairy farms in Ethiopia
up of most of the respondents were then followed by other and reported a significant association (𝑃 = 0.001) between
abattoir staff and veterinarians. Many of them had not used reactor cattle and human TB cases in households, indicating
protective clothing, despite the protection it gives against the high zoonotic risk of bTB among exposed individuals.
zoonotic transmission, clearly indicating their high risk of Despite their awareness of the zoonotic risk, these figures had
contracting bTB by occupation. This study showed significant clearly indicated their high risk of contracting the disease due
(𝑃 < 0.05) association between awareness of the respondents to exposure and negligence, as only few of the respondents
(abattoir staff) of bTB and their occupational status, age, (32.38%) used protective clothing in practical sense. More-
and duration of exposure to cattle carcasses. However, most over, the exception was that a significant number (59.81%)
of the abattoir staff believed in the importance of use of of abattoir personnel of Bauchi State reported consuming
protective clothing while working, but very few of them did boiled milk in recognition of the risk of contracting bTB and
not know the importance. Likewise, on its zoonotic nature, Brucellosis in fresh milk (unpasteurised milk). These findings
most of them knew that bTB can be contracted from cattle. were contrary to the report of Tigre et al. [23] in a cross-
Some of the respondents had even received prophylactic BCG sectional study on public health implication of bTB in dairy
vaccine while others had not received it and few did not know cattle and dairy farm owners, in South Western Ethiopia,
their vaccination status. Therefore, this clearly indicated their in which most of the respondents used either raw milk
awareness of bTB and its zoonotic risk, probably due to or nontreated soured milk, while some of the respondents
awareness campaign and researchers that visit the abattoir for consumed mixed (raw and cooked) meat and only few of the
sampling and data collection. respondents were aware that cattle had TB among which only
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4 Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Table 2: Risk analysis of some variables and other practices during work (use of protective clothing) among abattoir staff in Bauchi State,
Nigeria.

Use of protective clothing by respondents

Variables OR 95% CI on OR 𝑃 value
Yes No
Occupation of respondents
Butchers 12 33 0.34 0.13–0.90
Veterinarians 20 2 9.36 1.86–47.17
∗
Animal scientists 6 5 1.13 0.28–4.47 0.0001
∗∗
Other staff 16 15 1
Age group of respondents
16–25 9 7 7.29 1.51–35.23
26–35 28 15 10.58 2.67–41.99
∗
36–45 14 16 4.96 1.20–20.55 0.0028
∗∗
≥46 3 17 1
Sex of respondents
Males 47 51 0.26 0.05–1.33 0.161
∗∗
Females 7 2 1
Duration of contact with cattle
<1 year 8 3 3.2 0.80–12.87 0.1835
1–3 years 6 4 1.8 0.47–6.83
∗∗
>3 years 40 48 1
Duration of exposure to cattle carcasses
∗
<1 year 17 4 6.74 2.06–22.04 0.0013
1–3 years 8 4 3.17 0.88–11.49
∗∗
>3 years 29 46 1
Awareness that the disease can be contracted from cattle
Yes 52 51 2.03 0.36–11.62 0.4440
∗∗
No 2 4 1
Awareness that humans contract TB from cattle
Yes 52 46 4.52 0.91–22.39 0.0930
∗∗
No 2 8 1
∗
𝑃 < 0.05 regarded as significant; ∗∗ reference values (1).

25.7% of them recognised bTB as zoonotic. The differences bTB transmission as indicated by the practices and awareness
between Ethiopians’ and Nigerians’ bTB awareness may be levels of the abattoir personnel in Bauchi State could be
attributed to the differences in their norms and cultures as prevented through the use of protective clothing.
well as feeding habits.
Mycobacterium bovis, the cause of tuberculosis in cat- Recommendation
tle, sometimes causes disease in humans: the finding that
majority of the respondents have had contact with cattle for The government and relevant agencies should educate and
over 3 years (81.40%) could be a risk factor that promotes enlighten the public on bTB preventive measures and enforce
transmission from cattle to humans. Transmission from cattle the use of protection (PPE) by all abattoir workers. Collabora-
to humans is mainly by ingestion of raw cattle products from tion between professionals in the state should be encouraged
infected animals, and transmission by inhalation is possible to bridge the existing gap between the public health and bTB
when there is prolonged contact. This agreed with the report awareness.
of Byarugaba et al. [24], a risk assessment study carried out
in tuberculosis patients from Mbarara, major cattle keeping Conflict of Interests
region in Uganda, to determine species of Mycobacterium
responsible for the disease, whether M. bovis causes disease The authors unanimously agreed and declared that there is no
in humans. Conclusions from this study showed that large conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.
proportions of the respondents (90.27%) were aware of
zoonotic bTB. However, some (32.38%) used protection while Acknowledgments
working with cattle carcasses. This showed their high risk of
contracting bTB and other zoonoses endemic in the study The authors are indebted to the Ministry of Animal Resources
area. These findings also demonstrated the urgent need for and Nomadic Resettlement, Bauchi State, and Bauchi Area
the state public health authorities to intervene. The risk of Veterinary Clinic, Bauchi metropolitan abattoir, Azare and
 6963, 2015, 1, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2015/718193 by Readcube (Labtiva Inc.), Wiley Online Library on [06/06/2025]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
Journal of Veterinary Medicine 5

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