Anthrax Outbreak: Knowledge, Risk Practices, and Perception Among High-risk Working Groups in Abattoirs and Slaughterhouses in Nigeria
Authors: Oluseun Adebowale Oluwawemimo , Oludairo Oladapo Oyedeji , Oloye Abimbola Adetokunbo , Muawiyyah Muhammad Mahuta , Aliyu Babangida Umar , Ridwan Olamilekan Adesola , Adesokan Hezekiah Kehinde , Eze Gladys Chinelo , Akwoba Joseph Ogugua , Richards Arinola Bukola , Jimoh Afeez Babatunde , Oyawole  , Akinbami  , Jolaosho Taiwo Oluwole , Tade Adeniyi Olarenwaju , Akanbi Ifeoluwapo Omolola 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Anthrax is a neglected and life-threatening infectious zoonotic disease occurring, especially in Africa. This study was conducted a week before the confirmation of the recent anthrax outbreak in Nigeria on July 2023. It assessed the knowledge, risk practice, and perception of anthrax among the high-risk working groups such as meat processors, butchers, animal farmers, meat vendors, para-veterinarians, veterinarians, cleaners, administrative staff, and animal traders in abattoirs (ABs) and slaughterhouses (SHs) in Nigeria. Also, the national preparedness towards an outbreak was evaluated.
Method
A total of 627 participants were purposively selected from seven States and interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and logistic regression statistics.
Results
Most 499 (81.4%) of the participants were males, with the mean age being 37.3 ± 12.0 years old and the majority (471, 78.1%) had no tertiary education. One-third (207, 32.7%) of the participants self-reported being aware of anthrax, and 13.2% indicated that anthrax was a serious disease for both animals and humans. The knowledge median score was 0.0 (min 0, max 30), the general knowledge level was poor (16.8%), and 91.2% (527) of participants fell within this category. The practice median score was 6.0 (min 0, max 12) and categorized as generally poor (52.9%). Gaps observed in practices that could promote the risk of participants’ exposure to anthrax included slaughtering sick animals for human consumption, splashing blood on inspected carcasses, carrying carcasses on heads or shoulders, and disposing of condemned animal tissues or organs in open dumps. One-third of participants (202, 32.2%) strongly perceived that efficiently implementing vaccination in livestock would reduce the outbreak in humans. Furthermore, participants with no tertiary qualifications and no veterinary background had increased odds (COR: 14.378, 95% CI; 4.923–41.991, p = 0.000) and (COR: 9.157, 95% CI; 3.644–23.008, p = 0.000) of having inadequate knowledge level of anthrax respectively. Participants who were non-veterinarians/ non-para veterinarians had increased odds (COR: 3.471, 95% CI; 1.629–7.392, p = 0.001) of having poor practice level than veterinarians/para veterinarians. Conversely, participants less than 37 years -old had lower odds (COR: 0.268, 95% CI; 0.148–0.486, p = 0.000) of having poor practice level than those above the age.
Conclusion
The knowledge level of the high-risk working groups was poor with observable critical risk practices. Promoting media publicity and awareness creation, vaccination, effective disease surveillance, on-farm biosecurity, and adequate border control are critical strategies to prevent anthrax outbreaks in Nigeria.