Awareness of anthrax disease and the knowledge of its transmission and symtoms identification: A cross sectional study among butchers in Ile-Ife

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease of public health significance as it has led to the morbidity and mortality of human and livestock. Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis which causes contamination of soil and water. Due to the grazing nature of cattle, they are mainly affected by anthrax among other herbivores. Butchers, as frontline actors in the meat value chain, are at high occupational risk. However, there is a paucity of data on their awareness and knowledge of this disease in urban settings in Nigeria, a gap this study aims to address. The study was a cross sectional study among 380 respondents selected using multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a pretested, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed with the use of IBM Statistical Package for Service Solutions (SPSS) version 25 software. Descriptive analysis was done for all variables. Majority of the respondents (78.9%) were not aware of anthrax. More than half of the respondents (56.2%) agreed that anthrax can be transmitted through contaminated soil. Majority of the respondents (87.5%) who were aware of anthrax reported that there is relationship between anthrax and sudden death of animals. Majority (62.5%) said animals with anthrax die suddenly without illness and have dark un-clotted blood flow from their body orifices. Majority (75.0%) said that carcass of animals with anthrax do not get stiff. The study concluded that there is poor awareness about anthrax and its transmission among respondents. However, among respondents who were aware of anthrax, majority have good knowledge about identification of anthrax symptoms.