KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PREVENTIVE PRACTICES TOWARDS ZOONOTIC DISEASES AMONG ABATTOIR WORKERS AT KANO CENTRAL ABATTOIR, KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Zoonotic diseases remain an important occupational and public-health concern among abattoir workers because of their frequent exposure to livestock, animal tissues, blood, secretions and contaminated materials. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices towards zoonotic diseases among abattoir workers at Kano Central Abattoir, Kano State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 workers using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of zoonotic diseases, attitudes towards prevention and occupational preventive practices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and binary logistic regression at a 5% level of significance. Of the 250 respondents, 217 (86.8%) were males and 33 (13.2%) were females. Overall, 158 (63.2%) respondents demonstrated good knowledge, 191 (76.4%) had positive attitudes, while 139 (55.6%) exhibited good preventive practices. Tuberculosis (72.0%) and brucellosis (68.8%) were the most commonly recognized zoonotic diseases, whereas awareness of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (28.4%) and toxoplasmosis (25.6%) was relatively low. Although 82.0% of respondents recognized the importance of personal protective equipment, only 48.4% consistently used gloves and 42.8% consistently used face masks. Educational level, previous zoonotic-disease training and duration of work experience were significantly associated with preventive practices (p<0.05). The findings indicate that good knowledge and positive attitudes do not necessarily translate into adequate preventive practices among abattoir workers. Strengthening continuous zoonotic-disease education, provision and consistent use of personal protective equipment, improved sanitation and routine occupational-health surveillance are recommended to reduce occupational exposure and protect public health