Knowledge of meat safety, personal hygiene and antimicrobial resistance awareness among abattoir workers in the formal and informal meat sector

Abstract Meat is a great source of vital nutrients and important proteins for human health. But at the same time, it serves as a conducive environment for the development of microbes and their transfer to humans. This is exacerbated if the recommended safety procedures are not strictly adhered to. The aim of this research was to assess the level of knowledge of meat safety, hygiene practices, and antimicrobial drug resistance among abattoir workers in the meat value chain. A cross-sectional study employing questionnaires was conducted to assess the basic understanding of meat safety, personal hygiene, and antimicrobial resistance among abattoir workers (n = 208) in the formal (FMS) and informal (INMS) meat sectors. The results showed that the abattoir workers in the FMS had better knowledge of meat safety concepts than those in the INMS. However, abattoir workers in both sectors showed inadequate knowledge about the causative agents of foodborne diseases (FBDs). Notably, Clostridium perfringens (64.4%, 91.7%), Escherichia coli (55.6%, 70.8%), and fasciolosis (53.1%, 100.0%) were incorrectly associated with FBDs by a significant portion of abattoir workers. On the other hand, the incorrect association between FBDs and HIV (72.5%) and asthma (65.0%) was observed. In addition, the factors influencing meat safety were widely recognised; yet, misconceptions continued to exist, such as the false belief that anger (26.9%; 72.9%) is linked to FBDs. While some participants demonstrated satisfactory knowledge of meat safety, particularly within the FMS, INMS participants displayed inadequate understanding. This underscores the need for enhancements in meat safety practices across both sectors. The study emphasizes the urgency for improvement in meat safety within the examined area, advocating for initiatives encompassing research, education, and mass media dissemination to bolster awareness and adherence to safety protocols.