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2023 School of Allied Health Sciences NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN MEDICAL SCIENCES

Prevalence of Salmonella in Poultry Farmers in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Helen Ifeoma Udujih; Faith C. Alinachukwu; Chimezie Christian Iwuala; Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu

There had been several reports on the high prevalence of salmonella infection among poultry farmers in Nigeria.This study is aimed at investigating the prevalence of salmonella infection among poultry farmers in Owerri, ImoState. A total of ninety poultry farmers were recruited for the study. The subjects consisted of forty-five males andforty-five female poultry farmers. Stool sample was collected in a plain sterile container. The presence of salmonellainfection was detected using standard microbiological procedures. Data generated was expressed in percentage andpresented in tables. A total of forty-three (43) poultry farmers were recruited for the study of which a total of25(58.14%) poultry farmers has salmonella infection. There was a significant difference between the numbers ofpoultry farmers that showed the presence of salmonella infection when compared to the number of poultry farmerwithout salmonella infection. On the assessment of the safety practice method adopted by poultry farmers, 69.77%reported that they do not wear gloves when handling chickens, 72.09% reported that they do not wear face masksand apron, 97.64% reported that they do not wear hair restraint while 27.91% reported that they do not cut theirfinger nails. The prevalence of salmonella infection among poultry farmers in Owerri, Imo State is high whencompared with reports from other studies. The age group >43 years has the highest prevalence of salmonellainfection, while the prevalence of salmonella infection is high among females, married and poultry farmers with poor education. This study confirms that poultry farmers in Owerri have poor knowledge and practice but moderate attitude on salmonella infection prevention.