RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH BRUCELLOSIS SEROPREVALENCE AMONG ABATTOIR WORKERS IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that affects a wide range of domestic and wild animals, and human beings globally. The disease is contracted through direct contact with infected animals, consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, or inhalation of contaminated aerosols. Workers in the meat processing chain are more vulnerable to the disease. This study assessed the associated risk factors for the prevalence of Brucellosis among abattoir workers in Bauchi State. The factors examined were age, years of experience, contact with animals’ blood or fluids, and consumption of unpasteurized milk. An Ex post facto research design was employed. Researcher-developed questionnaire forms were administered to 224 abattoir workers who were selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure in the state. Binary logistic regression and omnibus Wald chi-square were used to test the postulated hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. The finding revealed that the calculated Chi-square (χ²) value is 21.61, which is greater than the critical value. This shows that the four predictors combined are significant risk factors for the prevalence of Brucellosis among abattoir workers in Bauchi State. It was concluded that age and consumption of unpasteurized milk are significant risk factors associated with the prevalence of brucellosis among abattoir workers in Bauchi State. In view of this, the study recommends that public health authorities should intensify education on the dangers of consuming unpasteurized milk and promote safe handling practices of animals and animal products among abattoir workers in Bauchi State.