Seroprevalence of Brucellosis in abattoir workers and slaughtered cattle in Ilorin metropolis Kwara State Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Brucellosis a common global zoonoses of public health importance and a neglected tropical disease. Annually, about 500,000 new cases occur worldwide. It has been reported as an important cause of “Fever of Unknown Origin”. The extent of public health impact is largely unknown due to misdiagnosis and under diagnosis because of similarity of symptoms with other diseases like malaria. This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in abattoir workers and slaughtered animals in Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria. Methods & Materials: Study design: Cross-sectional study. Study population: Abattoir workers and cattle slaughtered at the Ilorin Metropolitan Abattoir. Sampling method: Stratified sampling of abattoir workers based on their jobs. Adult male and female abattoir workers (≥18 years) who agree to participate in the study were recruited. Random sampling of slaughtered cattle. Data tools: A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics of participants, knowledge and practice of abattoir workers; breed, age, sex, place of purchase of cattle. Laboratoty samples: Human and animal blood samples were subjected to Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBT) and Indirect-Enzyme Link Immunosorbent Assay (IELISA). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis at 5% level of significance. Results: 189 abattoir workers and 394 cattle were recruited and screened. Prevalence of brucellosis among the abattoir workers was 22.2% while in cattle it was 9.6%. 88.9% of the workers had poor knowledge of brucellosis and 82.5% had poor practice towards prevention of brucellosis transmission. However, about 84.7% of the respondents deemed protective clothing was important; 78.8% claimed to actually use it while working and 71.4% personally indicated they owned protective clothing. Conclusion: There was high seroprevalence of brucellosis among the abattoir workers screened. Age, length of occupation and level of education were significant associated factors to seropositivity to brucellosis using RBT and ELISA. Use of PPE proved to be protective against infection with brucellosis; though the knowledge and attitude towards its use was poor among the workers. It is recommended that health education should be routinely done for the abattoir workers to improve their knowledge on brucellosis and hence its prevention.