Knowledge of Occupational Hazards and Safety Practice among Abattoir Workers of Katagum Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Aim: This study investigated the knowledge of occupational hazard and safety practice, and also determines the relationship between knowledge of occupational hazard and safety practice among abattoir workers in Katagum LGA, Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Study Design: A descriptive cross sectional study design was used for the study.

Methodology: A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 165 eligible respondents comprising all people working in the selected abattoirs in Katagum LGA. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select the participants for the study. Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to determine the relationship between knowledge of occupational hazards and safety practice.

Results: The results show that 55(36.2%) of the respondents were between the ages of 30-39, majority of the respondents 148(97.4%) were male. 146 (96.0%) of the abattoir workers revealed that there are hazards associated with their work. Cut/injuries were known by most of the respondents 128(84.2%). About one-fifth 18 (11.8%) of the respondents have poor knowledge, 75 (49.3%) have fair knowledge, while 59 (38.8%) have good knowledge of occupational hazards. About 35.5% of the respondents used Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while performing their duty. The statistical computation for Pearson correlation coefficient (with r value of 0.138) shows that there is positive relationship between knowledge of occupational hazard and safety practice.

Conclusion: In conclusion, majority of the respondents reported that there are hazards associated with their work, have good knowledge of occupational hazards, and high level of personal hygiene practice. But the use of PPE (especially apron, face mask, hand gloves and safety boots) was very low among the respondents. Thus, we recommended that the use of PPE and other preventive measures should be strongly encouraged as well as routine medical examination/checkup of abattoir workers in Katagum LGA of Bauchi State. Ante mortem and post mortem inspection on all animals should be carry-out before and after slaughter.