Medical History of Meat Handlers and the Occurrence of Zoonotic Mycobacterium bovis Infection in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study on the medical history of meat handlers and the occurrence of zoonotic Mycobacterium bovis infection in Imo State, Nigeria was carried out using one thousand two hundred respondents. A cross sectional survey was carried out in the three (3) senatorial zones Imo state Nigerian and a multistage sampling technique was used to choose the abattoirs under study. A well structured questionnaire was distributed and the data analyzed. Results showed lack of BCG awareness (OR=0.174; P=0.017) to be statistically significant to the occurrence of bovine TB, on the other hand the range of the various times respondents go for medical checkups was considered; those who often attend medical checkup against those who always go for medical checkup (OR=16.187; P=<0.0001), also those who never go for medical checkup against those that had medical checkup three months ago (OR=1.910; P=<0.001). It was observed in this study that lack of BCG awareness and the care free attitude to medical checkup pose as a risk factor to Mycobacterium bovis T.B among meat handlers. Therefore, there is need to initiate an awareness program on the importance of BCG intake in the fight against Mycobacterium bovis T.B and improve existing diagnostic test to specifically deter early phase of the infection.