Reducing the risk of zoonotic pathogen transmission in slaughterhouses in Dakar and Kaolack (Senegal): Staff knowledge, attitudes and practices

In Senegal, livestock farming is a strategic sector. By 2023, livestock production accounted for 3.4% of Senegal's Gross Domestic Product. Despite the vital importance of livestock, the sector faces constraints linked to zoonoses. Zoonoses are a real public health problem for slaughterhouse personnel. To the best of our knowledge, there are few studies carried out in Senegal to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of abattoir personnel regarding the risks of contracting zoonotic agents during the exercise of their profession. The aim of the present study was to gather information on the characteristics, knowledge and behaviors of slaughterhouse personnel in Senegal in relation to the risks associated with the transmission of priority zoonotic agents. Thus, this descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March 04 to April 19, 2024 involving slaughterhouse workers and inspectors from Dakar and Kaolack present at the time of the study. We carried out analyses to assess the association between socio-demographic data on the one hand, and the knowledge and behaviors of the respondents on the other. The surveys showed that 90% of slaughterers had heard of at least one priority zoonosis. Of these, 13%, 90%, 63% and 4.3% respectively had heard of rabies, tuberculosis, avian flu and Ebola fever, while none of them had heard of Rift valley fever, Marburg hemorrhagic fever or anthrax. In contrast, abattoir inspectors have a good knowledge of zoonoses, their symptoms and modes of transmission. Furthermore, with regard to knowledge of zoonoses, there was a significant variation depending on the age group of the personnel. Concerning attitudes and practices, 80.8% of slaughterhouse professionals take personal protection measures, 53.2% take hygiene measures for their work equipment, and 40.4% protect their workplace. We noticed a significant variation in the use of workplace protection measures, depending on the number of years' experience of the staff. In view of the shortcomings noted, it is essential to raise awareness among abattoir personnel of zoonosis prevention and control measures. In order to have a more global and precise view of the situation regarding the knowledge, attitudes and practices of slaughterhouse staff in Senegal, it would be wise to push the limits of this study by taking into account a larger sample including all slaughterhouses throughout the Senegalese national territory and by developing more explicit questionnaires for slaughterhouse professionals.