Working conditions and public health risks in slaughterhouses in western Kenya
Abstract Background Inadequate facilities and hygiene at slaughterhouses can result in contamination of meat and occupational hazards to workers. The objectives of this study were to assess current conditions in slaughterhouses in western Kenya and the knowledge, and practices of the slaughterhouse...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2017-01-01
|
| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3923-y |
| _version_ | 1811205161122529280 |
|---|---|
| author | Elizabeth Anne Jessie Cook William Anson de Glanville Lian Francesca Thomas Samuel Kariuki Barend Mark de Clare Bronsvoort Eric Maurice Fèvre |
| author_facet | Elizabeth Anne Jessie Cook William Anson de Glanville Lian Francesca Thomas Samuel Kariuki Barend Mark de Clare Bronsvoort Eric Maurice Fèvre |
| author_sort | Elizabeth Anne Jessie Cook |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Inadequate facilities and hygiene at slaughterhouses can result in contamination of meat and occupational hazards to workers. The objectives of this study were to assess current conditions in slaughterhouses in western Kenya and the knowledge, and practices of the slaughterhouse workers toward hygiene and sanitation. Methods Between February and October 2012 all consenting slaughterhouses in the study area were recruited. A standardised questionnaire relating to facilities and practices in the slaughterhouse was administered to the foreperson at each site. A second questionnaire was used to capture individual slaughterhouse workers’ knowledge, practices and recent health events. Results A total of 738 slaughterhouse workers from 142 slaughterhouses completed questionnaires. Many slaughterhouses had poor infrastructure, 65% (95% CI 63–67%) had a roof, cement floor and walls, 60% (95% CI 57–62%) had a toilet and 20% (95% CI 18–22%) had hand-washing facilities. The meat inspector visited 90% (95% CI 92–95%) of slaughterhouses but antemortem inspection was practiced at only 7% (95% CI 6–8%). Nine percent (95% CI 7–10%) of slaughterhouses slaughtered sick animals. Only half of workers wore personal protective clothing - 53% (95% CI 51–55%) wore protective coats and 49% (95% CI 46–51%) wore rubber boots. Knowledge of zoonotic disease was low with only 31% (95% CI 29–33%) of workers aware that disease could be transmitted from animals. Conclusions The current working conditions in slaughterhouses in western Kenya are not in line with the recommendations of the Meat Control Act of Kenya. Current facilities and practices may increase occupational exposure to disease or injury and contaminated meat may enter the consumer market. The findings of this study could enable the development of appropriate interventions to minimise public health risks. Initially, improvements need to be made to facilities and practices to improve worker safety and reduce the risk of food contamination. Simultaneously, training programmes should target workers and inspectors to improve awareness of the risks. In addition, education of health care workers should highlight the increased risks of injury and disease in slaughterhouse workers. Finally, enhanced surveillance, targeting slaughterhouse workers could be used to detect disease outbreaks. This “One Health” approach to disease surveillance is likely to benefit workers, producers and consumers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T03:26:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4e4648c8b0ba45f6a126160324be8f9f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T03:26:02Z |
| publishDate | 2017-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-4e4648c8b0ba45f6a126160324be8f9f2022-12-22T03:49:41ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582017-01-0117111210.1186/s12889-016-3923-yWorking conditions and public health risks in slaughterhouses in western KenyaElizabeth Anne Jessie Cook0William Anson de Glanville1Lian Francesca Thomas2Samuel Kariuki3Barend Mark de Clare Bronsvoort4Eric Maurice Fèvre5Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth LaboratoriesCentre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth LaboratoriesCentre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth LaboratoriesCentre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research InstituteThe Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of EdinburghInternational Livestock Research InstituteAbstract Background Inadequate facilities and hygiene at slaughterhouses can result in contamination of meat and occupational hazards to workers. The objectives of this study were to assess current conditions in slaughterhouses in western Kenya and the knowledge, and practices of the slaughterhouse workers toward hygiene and sanitation. Methods Between February and October 2012 all consenting slaughterhouses in the study area were recruited. A standardised questionnaire relating to facilities and practices in the slaughterhouse was administered to the foreperson at each site. A second questionnaire was used to capture individual slaughterhouse workers’ knowledge, practices and recent health events. Results A total of 738 slaughterhouse workers from 142 slaughterhouses completed questionnaires. Many slaughterhouses had poor infrastructure, 65% (95% CI 63–67%) had a roof, cement floor and walls, 60% (95% CI 57–62%) had a toilet and 20% (95% CI 18–22%) had hand-washing facilities. The meat inspector visited 90% (95% CI 92–95%) of slaughterhouses but antemortem inspection was practiced at only 7% (95% CI 6–8%). Nine percent (95% CI 7–10%) of slaughterhouses slaughtered sick animals. Only half of workers wore personal protective clothing - 53% (95% CI 51–55%) wore protective coats and 49% (95% CI 46–51%) wore rubber boots. Knowledge of zoonotic disease was low with only 31% (95% CI 29–33%) of workers aware that disease could be transmitted from animals. Conclusions The current working conditions in slaughterhouses in western Kenya are not in line with the recommendations of the Meat Control Act of Kenya. Current facilities and practices may increase occupational exposure to disease or injury and contaminated meat may enter the consumer market. The findings of this study could enable the development of appropriate interventions to minimise public health risks. Initially, improvements need to be made to facilities and practices to improve worker safety and reduce the risk of food contamination. Simultaneously, training programmes should target workers and inspectors to improve awareness of the risks. In addition, education of health care workers should highlight the increased risks of injury and disease in slaughterhouse workers. Finally, enhanced surveillance, targeting slaughterhouse workers could be used to detect disease outbreaks. This “One Health” approach to disease surveillance is likely to benefit workers, producers and consumers.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3923-ySlaughterhouseAbattoirKenyaFood hygieneOccupational safety |
| spellingShingle | Elizabeth Anne Jessie Cook William Anson de Glanville Lian Francesca Thomas Samuel Kariuki Barend Mark de Clare Bronsvoort Eric Maurice Fèvre Working conditions and public health risks in slaughterhouses in western Kenya BMC Public Health Slaughterhouse Abattoir Kenya Food hygiene Occupational safety |
| title | Working conditions and public health risks in slaughterhouses in western Kenya |
| title_full | Working conditions and public health risks in slaughterhouses in western Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Working conditions and public health risks in slaughterhouses in western Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Working conditions and public health risks in slaughterhouses in western Kenya |
| title_short | Working conditions and public health risks in slaughterhouses in western Kenya |
| title_sort | working conditions and public health risks in slaughterhouses in western kenya |
| topic | Slaughterhouse Abattoir Kenya Food hygiene Occupational safety |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3923-y |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT elizabethannejessiecook workingconditionsandpublichealthrisksinslaughterhousesinwesternkenya AT williamansondeglanville workingconditionsandpublichealthrisksinslaughterhousesinwesternkenya AT lianfrancescathomas workingconditionsandpublichealthrisksinslaughterhousesinwesternkenya AT samuelkariuki workingconditionsandpublichealthrisksinslaughterhousesinwesternkenya AT barendmarkdeclarebronsvoort workingconditionsandpublichealthrisksinslaughterhousesinwesternkenya AT ericmauricefevre workingconditionsandpublichealthrisksinslaughterhousesinwesternkenya |