Knowledge, attitudes and compliance of poultry workers with preventive measures for avian influenza in Lagelu, Oyo State, Nigeria

Background: Approximately 1.5 million birds have died or been depopulated as a result of avian influenza infection among poultry in Nigeria. In addition, one human fatal case has been reported in the country. This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge of, attitudes to, and compliance with preve...

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Main Author: Akinola A. Fatiregun, Mobolaji M. Saani.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2008-04-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.oloep.org/jidc/content.asp?id=1257
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author Akinola A. Fatiregun, Mobolaji M. Saani.
author_facet Akinola A. Fatiregun, Mobolaji M. Saani.
author_sort Akinola A. Fatiregun, Mobolaji M. Saani.
collection DOAJ
description Background: Approximately 1.5 million birds have died or been depopulated as a result of avian influenza infection among poultry in Nigeria. In addition, one human fatal case has been reported in the country. This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge of, attitudes to, and compliance with preventive practices for avian influenza infection among poultry workers in a district in Nigeria.Methodology: A cross-sectional epidemiological study design was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire administered at interview to obtain information.Results: A total of 140 poultry workers from 25 poultry farms were interviewed. Their average age was 29.9±9.6 years, and the median duration of work activity was 3 years (range 1 to 21 years). Nearly all respondents (92.9%) had heard about avian influenza, and their main source of information was the mass media. Only 61.4% correctly defined the infection as a viral infection that occurs in all species of birds. Knowledge of transmission and preventive practices for the infection was varied andincomplete among respondents. The majority (78.6%) agreed that avian influenza is a serious and preventable disease; however, the perceived risk of infection was moderate. No vaccination of poultry against avian influenza was reported by 98.6% of respondents, and wearing of personal protective equipment was not a routine practice. Predictors of preventive practice included fewer years in the work (p = 0.049), being married (p = 0.01), high knowledge score (p = 0.014), not being involved incollecting eggs on the farm (p = 0.008), and a large population of poultry on the farm (p = 0.002).Conclusion: There is a need to provide effective and coordinated information to poultry workers about avian influenza and the precautions necessary to avoid spreading the virus among poultry and to humans.
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spelling doaj.art-747c9537061f4a2a9d3422226212e0142022-12-21T23:43:10ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802008-04-0122130134Knowledge, attitudes and compliance of poultry workers with preventive measures for avian influenza in Lagelu, Oyo State, NigeriaAkinola A. Fatiregun, Mobolaji M. Saani.Background: Approximately 1.5 million birds have died or been depopulated as a result of avian influenza infection among poultry in Nigeria. In addition, one human fatal case has been reported in the country. This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge of, attitudes to, and compliance with preventive practices for avian influenza infection among poultry workers in a district in Nigeria.Methodology: A cross-sectional epidemiological study design was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire administered at interview to obtain information.Results: A total of 140 poultry workers from 25 poultry farms were interviewed. Their average age was 29.9±9.6 years, and the median duration of work activity was 3 years (range 1 to 21 years). Nearly all respondents (92.9%) had heard about avian influenza, and their main source of information was the mass media. Only 61.4% correctly defined the infection as a viral infection that occurs in all species of birds. Knowledge of transmission and preventive practices for the infection was varied andincomplete among respondents. The majority (78.6%) agreed that avian influenza is a serious and preventable disease; however, the perceived risk of infection was moderate. No vaccination of poultry against avian influenza was reported by 98.6% of respondents, and wearing of personal protective equipment was not a routine practice. Predictors of preventive practice included fewer years in the work (p = 0.049), being married (p = 0.01), high knowledge score (p = 0.014), not being involved incollecting eggs on the farm (p = 0.008), and a large population of poultry on the farm (p = 0.002).Conclusion: There is a need to provide effective and coordinated information to poultry workers about avian influenza and the precautions necessary to avoid spreading the virus among poultry and to humans.http://www.oloep.org/jidc/content.asp?id=1257Avian influenzapoultry workersknowledgeattitudespreventive practices.
spellingShingle Akinola A. Fatiregun, Mobolaji M. Saani.
Knowledge, attitudes and compliance of poultry workers with preventive measures for avian influenza in Lagelu, Oyo State, Nigeria
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
Avian influenza
poultry workers
knowledge
attitudes
preventive practices.
title Knowledge, attitudes and compliance of poultry workers with preventive measures for avian influenza in Lagelu, Oyo State, Nigeria
title_full Knowledge, attitudes and compliance of poultry workers with preventive measures for avian influenza in Lagelu, Oyo State, Nigeria
title_fullStr Knowledge, attitudes and compliance of poultry workers with preventive measures for avian influenza in Lagelu, Oyo State, Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge, attitudes and compliance of poultry workers with preventive measures for avian influenza in Lagelu, Oyo State, Nigeria
title_short Knowledge, attitudes and compliance of poultry workers with preventive measures for avian influenza in Lagelu, Oyo State, Nigeria
title_sort knowledge attitudes and compliance of poultry workers with preventive measures for avian influenza in lagelu oyo state nigeria
topic Avian influenza
poultry workers
knowledge
attitudes
preventive practices.
url http://www.oloep.org/jidc/content.asp?id=1257
work_keys_str_mv AT akinolaafatiregunmobolajimsaani knowledgeattitudesandcomplianceofpoultryworkerswithpreventivemeasuresforavianinfluenzainlageluoyostatenigeria