Study of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Hygiene among Abattoir Workers in Kano State Metropolitan, Nigeria

Absract: Background: The most important issue in all meat-processing plants is maintenance of proper hygiene and an abattoir has been defined as a premise approved and registered by the controlling authority for hygienic management of meat products for human consumption. Objective: To evaluate the level of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding hygiene among abattoir workers. Method: A descriptive cross sectional design was conducted among 170 abattoir workers in Kano metropolitan area in Nigeria. Abattoir workers, chosen by stratified random sampling, were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice of hygiene during the period of July to August 2014. Result: Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the level of KAP its association with other factors. Majority of the respondents (97%) received training regarding hygiene in abattoir and 75% of them stated that the training was done when the need arises. About 52% of the respondents exhibited the practice of washing their hand before starting the work. There is an association between knowledge, attitude and practice with regard to hygiene practice in abattoir (p<0.05).Factor analysis also showed that practice and attitude goes together, workers with higher age and working experience has a poor practice and knowledge but workers with lower age has a good attitude, better knowledge and good practice. Conclusion: There is increase in knowledge, attitude and practice of hygiene among abattoir workers, but there is need to increase the level of hygiene in the abattoir premises. It also shows that workers with good attitude have a better practice but such an association with knowledge is not necessary. However there is need to increase the level of knowledge on hygiene practices among abattoir workers in order to reduce the incidence of diseases and sickness in the state.