Assessment of Knowledge Gap and Risk of Zoonosis among Abattoir Workers in Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Background: Zoonotic diseases are important public health problems worldwide. They are detrimental to animal health resulting to great economic losses as well as a threat to the national food security and human health. This study assessed the knowledge gap and risk of acquisition of zoonotic diseases among abattoir workers in Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A total of 347 respondents were recruited through cluster sampling technique. Information on knowledge and preventive measures of zoonosis among the abattoir workers was obtained using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Statistical analyses (proportions, means with standard deviations, chi-square test) were carried out using with IBM-SPSS version 26 software. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 33.8±10.7years and 67.7% were males. A total of 73.5% respondents were found to have adequate knowledge of zoonosis. Only 36.5% practiced effective preventive measures regarding zoonosis and only 42.4% always used personal preventive equipment during work. The barriers to the use of personal protective equipment when available were inconvenience (42.5%) and perception of low risk to the hazards (28.5%). Conclusion: The knowledge of zoonosis in this study was high but this high level of knowledge did not translate to consistent practice of effective preventive measures against zoonotic diseases. We therefore recommend further health education, training and re-training of the abattoir workers in Ebonyi North Senatorial District to enable them practice effective prevention measures and to reduce the risk of contracting zoonosis.