Adoption Of Improved Management Practices Among Abattoir Workers In Dunukofia Local Government Area Of Anambra State, Nigeria

The study assessed the adoption level of improved management practices among abattoir workers in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting one hundred and twenty (120) respondents that were used in the study. Data were collected through primary source, using a well-structured questionnaire, and data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage and mean score. The majority (85%) of the abattoir workers were males, 45% fell between the ages of 31 and 40 years while the majority (70%) of the workers were married. A greater proportion (57.50%) attended primary school education, while 60% had a household size of between 6 and 10 persons with a mean household size of 8 persons. The study revealed that slaughtering of animals (x̅=3.67), emergency slaughter services (x̅=3.67), unloading of animals (x̅=3.46), identification of animals (x̅=3.10), training of butchers (x̅=3.08), rearing of cattle (x̅=2.93) and buying and selling of cattle (x̅=2.63) were the services rendered by the abattoirs in the area. The result shows that the improved management practices adopted by the abattoir workers were safety wears (x̅=3.56), hand washing facilities (x̅=3.25), usage of clean water supply during washing of meat (x̅=2.93), improved state of lairage (x̅=2.72), efficient odor management methods (x̅=2.63), ante-mortem inspection (x̅=2.55), and better heating system (x̅=2.53). Whereas, improper storage of left over carcass (x̅=3.56), improper waste management (x̅=3.23), unclean environment (x̅=3.22), poor welfare of animals (x̅=3.08), careless evisceration (x̅=3.03), usage of tires and plastic materials in flaying animal (x̅=2.93), outbreak of diseases (x̅=2.88), washing of meat with unclean water (x̅=2.83), poor supervisory activities (x̅=2.77), usage of hormones and chemical (x̅=2.77), and unclean equipment and tools (x̅=2.72) were the major unhealthy and unethical management practices that affects meat quality. More so, the result revealed that unbearable taxes and revenue collection (x̅=3.52), unavailability of sewage tank (x̅=3.50), inadequate funds for expansion (x̅=3.30), dissemination of false information about meat on the social media handle (x̅=3.10), and inadequate veterinary personnel (x̅=2.91), etc were the major challenges faced by the workers in the area. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that government should ensure enforcement of laws and regular supervision of abattoir activities in the state in other to promote safe and healthy meat for consumption.