Tubercles in cattle carcasses and risk behaviours for zoonotic tuberculosis transmission among workers in a municipal slaughterhouse

Prevalence of zoonotic tuberculosis in livestock in Nigeria contributes substantially to TB incidence among the population at risk. This study sought for tubercles in cattle carcasses and assessed knowledge and risk behaviours for zoonotic tuberculosis transmission among workers in Ikpa slaughter, Nsukka, Nigeria. Tubercle samples collected during meat inspection of 420 cattle carcasses were subjected to Ziehl Neelson stain. Questionnaire was issued to 50 slaughterhouse workers and data generated analysed with STATA 12 at p<α (0.05). The results showed 0.71% (3/420) prevalence of tubercles that translated to 0.79% (3/382), 0.81% (3/372), 0.79% (2/379) among the males, adults and White Fulani breeds, respectively. Among the respondents, 64% (32/50) had good knowledge of the disease. Knowledge of ZTB was significantly associated with level of education (P<0.05). Practices that expose to zoonotic tuberculosis infection were found among 48% of the participants. Practices that expose to the infection was found to be significantly associated with the level of education (P<0.05). Tubercles were prevalent in cattle carcasses in Ikpa slaughterhouse. Workers in the place need in-depth enlightenment on ZTB and its modes of transmission to reduce human exposure to the disease.