ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS FOR BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS AMONG RURAL WOMEN FARMERS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

In sub-Saharan Africa, bovine tuberculosis (BTB) causes significant economic losses and public health hazard but has received little attention in Nigeria. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential risk factors, level of knowledge and practices that enhance BTB among the female rural dwellers in five Local Government areas of Kwara State and to document the records of tuberculosis from community health centres that are situated in the study area. Four hundred and fifty questionnaires were used to carry out a survey for randomly selected female farmers. Of the four hundred and fifty women, 210/450 (46.7%) respondents fell within the ages of 16-30, (396/450) 88.0% were married. Of the 450, 141(31.3%) were aware of BTB and 117 (20.0%) got to know at the hospital. Eating of raw animal meat, Consumption of unpasteurized milk extracted from animals, Consumption of meat of diseased or dead animals, Untimely and improper vaccination of the animals, Treating diseased and sick animals at home rather than consulting experts, Consumption of raw animal parts for medicinal purpose and Improper hygiene before and after attending to animals. This study showed that numerous people are predisposed to bovine tuberculosis despite the threats posed by bovine tuberculosis.