Food safety and health: a survey of rural and urban household consumer practices, knowledge to food safety and food related illnesses in Ogun State

Background: Consumers’ knowledge on food safety and related practices play central role in reducing foodborne diseases, which represents significant concerns to public health. Objectives: To evaluate rural and urban household consumers knowledge of food safety and related practices in Ogun state, Nigeria. Also, awareness of foodborne illnesses, and  association between respondents’ demographic characteristics and food safety knowledge were investigated. Methods: A crossectional study, which involved a questionnaire based interview of a group of 120 volunteers from four different local government areas (LGA) in Ogun State was conducted. Pearson chi-square analysis was used to test the association between consumers’ demographic parameters and knowledge of food safety. Results: Overall,  eighteen (15.8%, 95% Cl, 10.0 – 23.7) male, and ninety-six (82.2%, 95% Cl, 76.3 – 89.9) female within the age range 16 – 60 years took part in the study. Our data showed that there was poor knowledge regarding food safety practices and food borne illnesses among rural and urban consumers surveyed. However, there was a significant difference in the awareness of rural and urban household consumers to foodborne illnesses and associated complications, (p <0.05). Also, Respondents’ marital status were significantly associated with knowledge of food safety (p <0.000). Conclusion: Poor consumer knowledge of food safety, and food related illnesses  were reported, informing the urgent need to improve on  food safety education such as food handling, preparation, storage and general hygiene practices in homes in Nigeria

University community-based survey on the knowledge, attitude and perception about COVID-19 pandemic: the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria as a case study

Objectives Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is impacting social, economic and political patterns globally. To contain its spread, Nigeria like many other countries, imposed drastic measures such as lockdown/curfew. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and perception (KAP) about COVID-19 pandemic among members of staff of a university community in Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional survey using an anonymous, self-designed, online KAP questionnaire was conducted from April 18 to May 31, 2020. The questionnaire consisted of ten knowledge questions regarding the transmission and prevention of COVID-19. The questions on attitude (15) and perception (10) assessed respondents’ behaviour towards adherence to government policies and views on government efforts to contain  the infection respectively. Results A total of 125 (teaching) and 102 (non-teaching) staff responded. Approximately 59.1 % of the respondents were males. The mean knowledge and positive attitude levels were 70.8 % (SD ± 9.6 %) and 83.1 % (SD ± 13.07 %) respectively. Significant differences in the knowledge mean scores were observed for demographic categories such as educational qualification (p = 0.0006), staff work category (p = <0.0001), work background (p = <0.0001), and type of lockdown (p = 0.0271). Most of the respondents (85.3 %) opined that COVID-19 was a biological weapon and viewed the lockdown as necessary (81.5 %). However, they thought that the Nigerian government was not doing enough to mitigate COVID-19 spread. Conclusions The perception of COVID-19 in the university community bear implications across public health initiatives, compliance with precautionary behaviour and bilateral relations with foreign nations. &nbsp

Systematic review and meta-analysis of veterinary-related occupational exposures to hazards

Understanding hazards within the veterinary profession is critical for developing strategies to ensure the health and safety of personnel in the work environment. This study was conducted to systematically review and synthesize data on reported risks within veterinary workplaces. A systematic review of published data on occupational hazards and associated risk factors were searched within three database platforms namely PubMed, Ebscohost, and Google scholar. To determine the proportion estimates of hazards and pooled odds ratio, two randomeffects meta-analysis were performed. For the biological, chemical and physical hazards, the pooled proportion estimates were 17% (95% CI: 15.0-19.0, p < 0.001), 7.0% (95% CI: 6.0-9.0%, p < 0.001) and 65.0% (95% CI: 39.0-91.0%, p < 0.001) respectively. A pooled odds ratio indicated the risk of exposures to physical (OR=1.012, 95% CI: 1.008-1.017, p < 0.001) and biological hazards (OR=2.07, 95% CI: 1.70- 2.52, p <0.001) increased when working or in contact with animals. The review has provided a better understanding of occupational health and safety status of veterinarians and gaps within the developing countries. This evidence calls for policy formulation and implementation to reduce the risks of exposures to all forms of occupational-related hazards in veterinary workplaces.https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/ovsam2022Veterinary Tropical Disease

Animal diseases and zoonoses at a municipal slaughterhouse in Southwest Nigeria: Three-year retrospective survey (2014–2016)

Slaughterhouses are certified premises where animals are slaughtered and inspected to ensure meats are wholesome and safe for public consumption. To determine the common zoonoses encountered in a municipal slaughterhouse of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, a three-year retrospective study was conducted (2014–2016). During the review of slaughterhouse records, the overall throughput of cattle slaughtered was 146,794 (4077.6 ± 413.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3923.3–4206.7). Female animal slaughtering outweighed male ones at 5:1 ratio (p < 0.0001). The highest number of cattle were slaughtered in December 2014, December 2015, and August 2016. Of all the total cattle slaughtered, the overall observed prevalences for bovine tuberculosis (BTB), hydatidosis and fasciolosis were estimated as 9514 (6.5%, 264.3 ± 81.7; 95% CI 236.6–291.9), 1851 (1.3%, 55.8 ± 17.3; 95% CI 49.9–61.6) and 845 (0.6%, median = 19.0; 95% CI 18.7–28.3), respectively. On average the highest number of BTB cases was reported in February-March, it declined slightly in October and increased again in November. Similarly, the highest numbers of hydatidosis and fasciolosis were observed in March and February, respectively. A significant (p = 0.02) mean variation of cases of BTB was found across the period and it was higher (p = 0.03) during the wet/rainy season in 2015. Our results emphasized the need to promote coordinated active surveillance for zoonoses detection and mitigation to ensure food safety at farm and slaughterhouse levels. Adequate record keeping for specific organ/meat/carcass condemnation is crucial at postmortem, as this represents a significant loss of animal proteins and revenues. Such data can be used for informed policy to intensify reduction in economic loss associated with animal diseases

Capacities and functionalities assessment of veterinary laboratories in South-west Nigeria using the FAO Laboratory Mapping Tool

No abstract available.https://www.journals.elsevier.com/biomedical-and-environmental-sciences2021-06-01hj2021Veterinary Tropical Disease

Antimicrobial usage in pig production : effects on Escherichia coli virulence profiles and antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobials (AM) are used for growth promotion and therapy in pig production. Its misuse has led to the development of resistant organisms. We evaluated Escherichia coli virulence genes, and compared phenotypic–genotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of faecal E. coli from pigs receiving routine farm treatment without antimicrobial agents against pigs treated routinely with AM over 70 days. Recovered E. coli were tested for AMR using disk diffusion and polymerase chain reaction. Virulence genes were detected in 24.8% of isolates from antimicrobial group and 43.5% from non-antimicrobial group (p = 0.002). The proportion of virulence genes heat-stable enterotoxins a & b (STa, STb), enteroaggregative heat stable enterotoxin 1 [EAST1] and Shiga toxin type 2e [Stx2e]) were 18.1%, 0.0%, 78.7% and 3.0% for antimicrobial group and 14.8%, 8.5%, 85.1% and 12.7% for non-antimicrobial groups, respectively. Resistance to oxytetracycline was most common (p = 0.03) in samples collected between days 10 and 21. Resistance shifted to amoxicillin on days 56–70, and trimethoprim resistance was observed throughout. Seventeen phenotypic AMR combinations were observed and eight were multidrug resistant. At least one tetracycline resistance gene was found in 63.9% of the isolates. tet (A) (23.3%) was most common in the antimicrobial group, whereas tet (B) (43.5%) was prevalent in the nonantimicrobial group. Usage or non-usage of antimicrobial agents in growing pigs does not preclude virulence genes development and other complex factors may be involved as previously described. Heavily used AM correspond to the degree of resistance and tetracycline resistance genes were detected during the growth phase.The National Research Foundation Incentive Funding for Rated Researchers (IPRR) and the University of Pretoria Postgraduate Bursary.http://www.ojvr.orgpm2020Production Animal StudiesVeterinary Tropical Disease

Assessment of the biorisk status of veterinary laboratories in Southwest Nigeria : application of the food and agriculture organization laboratory mapping tool-safety module

INTRODUCTION : Because of the nature of work conducted in veterinary laboratories and potential exposures to pathogenic microorganisms, good laboratory practices, risk assessments, biosafety, and biosecurity capacity is becoming vital. In this study, the Food and Agriculture Organization Laboratory Mapping Tool-Safety Module was applied to demonstrate its practical implementation in the assessment of biosafety and biosecurity statuses of veterinary laboratories in Nigeria. METHODS : The Laboratory Mapping Tool-Safety Module, a standardized questionnaire, systematically and semiquantitatively gathered data on 98 subcategories covering 4 areas of biosafety and biosecurity capabilities: administrative, operational, engineering, and personal protective equipment. RESULTS : Overall, the various areas and categories covered by the Laboratory Mapping Tool-Safety Module were weak across the board, with a mean performance of 19.5% (95% confidence interval, 14.0%-25.1%; range, 0.8%-29.6%). The weakest functionality was in emergency preparedness (0.8%; ie, emergency responses and exercises such as fire drills, spill cleanup, and biological spill kit availability). Also, many laboratories were deficient in metrology procedures, biosafety cabinets, chemical hazard containment, regular maintenance and external calibration procedures for laboratory equipment, and personnel health and safety. However, a few functionalities within individual laboratories scored above average (50%), for example, a university microbiology laboratory animal facility (100%). Interlaboratory comparison indicated that biosafety and biosecurity performance was similar across laboratories (P = .07) and did not vary by location (P = .37). CONCLUSIONS : Significant biosafety and biosecurity improvements are needed to guarantee the health and safety of workers and the global community, efficient responses to infectious disease containment, and compliance with the Global Health Security Agenda.https://www.liebertpub.com/APB2021-12-01hj2021Veterinary Tropical Disease

COVID-19 pandemic impacted food security and caused psychosocial stress in selected states of Nigeria

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS : TABLE S1: Economic and livelihood data and food-related issues for respondents psychosocial and food security-related impacts of COVID-19, Nigeria; TABLE S2: Psychological stress and self-rated quality of life of respondents per socioeconomic earning category due to impact of COVID-19.DATA AVAILABLITY STATEMENT : The data used in this study are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.The COVID-19 disease has infected many countries, causing generalized impacts on different income categories. We carried out a survey among households (n = 412) representing different income groups in Nigeria. We used validated food insecurity experience and socio-psychologic tools. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The earning capacities of the respondents ranged from 145 USD/month for low-income earners to 1945 USD/month for high-income earners. A total of 173 households (42%) ran out of food during the COVID-19 pandemic. All categories of households experienced increasing dependency on the general public and a perception of increasing insecurity, with the high-income earners experiencing the greatest shift. In addition, increasing levels of anger and irritation were experienced among all categories. Of the socio-demographic variables, only gender, educational level of the household head, work hours per day, and family income based on society class were associated (p < 0.05) with food security and hunger due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although psychological stress was observed to be greater in the low-income earning group, household heads with medium and high family income were more likely to have satisfactory experiences regarding food security and hunger. It is recommended that socio-economic groups should be mapped and support systems should target each group to provide the needed support in terms of health, social, economic, and mental wellness.http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerphVeterinary Tropical DiseasesSDG-02:Zero HungerSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

Multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli, biosecurity and anti-microbial use in live bird markets, Abeokuta, Nigeria

Live bird markets (LBM) remain a critical link from farm to fork in the poultry value chain, which oftentimes promotes indiscriminate antimicrobial use (AMU) and resistance (AMR). In this study, we assessed biosecurity practices, AMU, and associated these with multidrug resistant (MDR) E. coli in LBMs in Abeokuta, Ogun State. A cross-sectional survey among live bird sellers (LBS) in eight LBMs was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. Also, cloacal samples (n = 200) were randomly collected and pooled for bacteriological detection of MDR E. coli in live chickens of consenting LBS. Susceptibility to 14 antimicrobials belonging to 6 different classes was determined using the disk diffusion method. Biosecurity level and AMU were generally low. LBS less than 46 (Crudes odds ratio = 6.8; 95% CI; 1.20–38.56; p = 0.03) than others. An informal or primary school education increased the odds of having a poor practice of AMU by 15.1 folds (Crudes odds ratio = 15.1; 95% CI; 2.73–84.18; p = 0.002) than those with secondary or tertiary. The prevalence of E. coli and MDR E. coli at the LBM level were 80% and 56.3%, respectively. Extremely high resistance rates were observed for ceftazidime (96.9%) and imipenem (90.6%). The odds of MDR E. coli increased eight-fold in poultry kept by LBS who use AMs as prophylaxis. This current data could be useful for the development of targeted behavioral risk communication and mitigation strategies for AMR to impede the potential horizontal transfer of AMR genes to humans through animal-sourced foodSUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: QUESTIONNAIRE S1: Questionnaire, TABLE S1: The Concentrations and Cut-Off Limits Used. For antimicrobials susceptibility testing, TABLE S2: Antimicrobial Profiles of the Positive E. coli Isolates from Live Chickens in Abeokuta Ogun State.http://www.mdpi.com/journal/antibioticsVeterinary Tropical Disease

Non-typhoidal Salmonella in Nigeria: do outcomes of ‘multisectoral’ surveillance, treatment and control justify the intervention costs?

Non-typhoidal salmonellosis (NTS) is significant and an economic burden in Nigeria. To determine whether investment in NTS control is economically justifiable, Outbreak Costing Tool (OCT) was used to estimate the robust funding of public and animal health systems for epidemio-surveillance and control of multisectoral NTS outbreaks in Nigeria. Health, production, and economic data were collected and used to populate the tool for evaluation. The multisectoral NTS burden for the year 2020 in Nigeria was US$930,887,379.00. Approximately 4,835 technical officers, and 3,700 non-technical staff (n = 8,535) were needed with an investment of >2.2 million work hours. The investment cost for NTS control was US$ 53,854,660.87. The non-labour-related cost was 89.21% of the total intervention costs. The overall intervention’s investment was 374.15% of the estimated national and subnational systems’ annual budget for diarrhoeal diseases, and the outbreak response period attracted the highest costs (53%) of the total intervention. In conclusion, intervention against NTS was beneficial (benefit – cost ratio: 17.29), hence justifying the need for multisectoral surveillance-response against NTS in Nigeria. Complex sectoral silos must give way to coordinated collaborations to optimize benefits; and over-centralization of health interventions’ associated delays must be removed through decentralized sub-national-focused framework that empowers rapid investigation, response, control, data collection, and analyses. It should assist anticipatory planning, and outbreak investigation and reduce critical response time. Anticipatory planning tools, when applied pre-emptively, can benefit budgeting, identify gaps, and assist in the delivery of cost-saving and effective measures against infectious disease.The Defense Threat Reduction Agency [Travel Grant]; Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project [Research support].https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/TVSMhj2024Veterinary Tropical DiseasesSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein