{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T16:33:34Z","timestamp":1785429214812,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":27,"publisher":"AOSIS","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,18]],"date-time":"2026-03-18T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1773792000000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"<jats:p>Zoonotic tuberculosis (TB), caused by\u00a0Mycobacterium bovis, a member of the\u00a0Mycobacterium tuberculosis\u00a0complex, remains a global public health hazard. Information based on knowledge, practices, and associated risks among high-risk occupations, such as veterinarians and abattoir workers, is crucial. A close-end questionnaire was used to interview 103 abattoir workers during sampling visits, and data on their knowledge, practices, and potential exposure to\u00a0Mycobacterium\u00a0spp. were collected. More males (87\/103, 84.47%) participated in the study, with the majority (83\/103, 80.58%) working in the abattoirs\u2019 slaughter and meat processing sections. A high proportion (88.35%) of participants were knowledgeable about TB. A relatively low proportion of abattoir workers were aware that they could transmit TB to animals (44.6%) and that they could acquire the disease from animals (45.7%), suggesting that they may know about the disease but little about its mode of transmission. To reduce exposure to infectious bacteria, personal protective equipment (PPE) was worn when handling carcasses at abattoirs, with 95.15% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 90.92\u201399.37) reporting its use. Non-abattoir potential exposure to\u00a0Mycobacterium\u00a0spp. among abattoir workers included the consumption of undercooked meat (10.68%; 95% CI: 4.61\u201316.75), slaughtering of animals at home (47.57%; 95% CI: 37.76\u201357.38), and consuming raw milk (25.24%; 95% CI: 16.71\u201333.77). It is therefore not enough for abattoir workers to know about bovine TB; they must also understand other aspects of the disease, particularly its transmission.\nContribution:\u00a0Our findings revealed a high proportion of workers following good PPE donning practices when handling carcasses, thereby minimising the transmission of zoonotic diseases such as TB. Consumption of raw milk and undercooked meat are significant risks associated with the transmission of zoonotic TB. Therefore, to reduce the risks and improve the overall well-being, awareness programmes regarding control and prevention are crucial.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.4102\/ojvr.v93i1.2250","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,16]],"date-time":"2026-03-16T14:43:12Z","timestamp":1773672192000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Knowledge, practice, and risk of exposure of abattoir workers to Mycobacterium spp. in abattoirs and non-abattoir environments in Gauteng province, South Africa"],"prefix":"10.4102","volume":"93","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2443-3874","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Vuyokazi","family":"Mareledwane","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Technology Innovation Agency"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2791-3243","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Tiny","family":"Hlokwe","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/04r1s2546","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"Agricultural Research Council of South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7559-6617","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Yusuf","family":"Ngoshe","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/00g0p6g84","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"University of Pretoria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9470-9421","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Abiodun","family":"Adesiyun","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/00g0p6g84","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"University of Pretoria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"2580","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,18]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref0","unstructured":"Adebanjo, O.D., 2011, \u2018Knowledge, attittudes and practices of healthcare workers about prevention and control of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis at Botsabelo Hospital Maseru, Lesotho\u2019, Doctoral dissertation, University of Limpopo, Medunsa Campus."},{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Adesokan, H.K., Alabi, P.I., Cadmus, S.I. & Stack, J.A., 2013, \u2018Knowledge and practices related to bovine brucellosis transmission amongst livestock workers in Yewa, south-western Nigeria\u2019, Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 84(1), 1\u20135. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/jsava.v84i1.121","DOI":"10.4102\/jsava.v84i1.121"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cosivi, O., Grange, J.M., Daborn, C.J., Raviglione, M.C., Fujikura, T., Cousins, D. et al., 1998, \u2018Zoonotic tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis in developing countries\u2019, Emerging Infectious Diseases 4(1), 59. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3201\/eid0401.980108","DOI":"10.3201\/eid0401.980108"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Datiko, D.G., Habte, D., Jerene, D. & Suarez, P., 2019, \u2018Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to TB among the general population of Ethiopia: Findings from a national cross-sectional survey\u2019, PLoS One 14(10), e0224196. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0224196","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0224196"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Deneke, T.T., Bekele, A., Moore, H.L., Mamo, T., Almaw, G., Mekonnen, G.A. et al., 2022, \u2018Milk and meat consumption patterns and the potential risk of zoonotic disease transmission among urban and peri-urban dairy farmers in Ethiopia\u2019, BMC Public Health 22(1), 222. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12889-022-12665-4","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-022-12665-4"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dogonyaro, B.B., Van Heerden, H., Potts, A.D., Kolo, B.F., Lotter, C., Katsande, C. et al., 2020, \u2018Seroepidemiology of Leptospira infection in slaughtered cattle in Gauteng province, South Africa\u2019, Tropical Animal Health and Production 52, 3789\u20133798. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11250-020-02417-0","DOI":"10.1007\/s11250-020-02417-0"},{"key":"ref6","unstructured":"Ismaila, U.G., Rahman, H.A. & Saliluddin, S.M., 2015, \u2018Knowledge on bovine tuberculosis among abattoir workers in Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria\u2019, International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences 2(3), 45\u201358."},{"key":"ref7","unstructured":"Kachalla, M.G., Kwaghe, A.V., Bello, M. & Nguku, P., 2016, \u2018Knowledge, attitude and practice of workers on bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in two Abuja abattoirs, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria\u2019, International Journal of Life Sciences 5(2), 124\u2013128."},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kock, R., Michel, A.L., Yeboah-Manu, D., Azhar, E.I., Torrelles, J.B., Cadmus, S.I. et al., 2021, \u2018Zoonotic tuberculosis \u2013 The changing landscape\u2019, International Journal of Infectious Diseases 113, S68\u2013S72. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijid.2021.02.091","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijid.2021.02.091"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kolo, F.B., Adesiyun, A.A., Fasina, F.O., Harris, B.N., Rossouw, J., Byaruhanga, C. et al., 2024, \u2018Brucellosis seropositivity using three serological tests and associated risk factors in Abattoir workers in Gauteng province, South Africa\u2019, Pathogens 13, 64. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/pathogens13010064","DOI":"10.3390\/pathogens13010064"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kolo, F.B., Adesiyun, A.A., Fasina, F.O., Katsande, C.T., Dogonyaro, B.B., Potts, A. et al., 2019, \u2018Seroprevalence and characterization of Brucella species in cattle slaughtered at Gauteng abattoirs, South Africa\u2019, Veterinary Medicine and Science 5(4), 545\u2013555. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/vms3.190","DOI":"10.1002\/vms3.190"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mangena, M.L., Gcebe, N., Thompson, P.N. & Adesiyun, A.A., 2023, \u2018Q fever and toxoplasmosis in African livestock and wildlife: A retrospective study on seropositivity and sporadic abortion, and on South and on stillbirths cases in livestock caused by Coxiella burnetii\u2019, BMC Veterinary Research. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.21203\/rs.3.rs-2025562\/v1","DOI":"10.21203\/rs.3.rs-2025562\/v1"},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Marange, R., Morar-Leather, D. & Fasina, F.O., 2020, \u2018Survey of the knowledge, attitude and perceptions on bovine tuberculosis in Mnisi community, Mpumalanga, South Africa\u2019, Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 87, a1808. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/ojvr.v87i1.1808","DOI":"10.4102\/ojvr.v87i1.1808"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mareledwane, V., Adesiyun A.A., Thompson, P.N. & Hlokwe, T.M., 2021, \u2018Application of gamma-interferon assay to determine the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in slaughter livestock at abattoirs in Gauteng, South Africa\u2019, Veterinary Medicine and Science 8(6), 2568\u20132575. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/vms3.492","DOI":"10.1002\/vms3.492"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mareledwane, V., Adesiyun, A. & Hlokwe, T.M., 2024, \u2018Absence of tuberculosis-causing Mycobacteria from slaughtered livestock tissues and environmental samples, Gauteng province, South Africa\u2019, International Journal of Microbiology 2024, 4636652. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1155\/2024\/4636652","DOI":"10.1155\/2024\/4636652"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Melaku, S., Sharma, H.R. & Alemie, G.A., 2013, \u2018Pastoralist community\u2019s perception of tuberculosis: A quantitative study from Shinille area of Ethiopia\u2019, Tuberculosis Research and Treatment 2013(1), 475605.","DOI":"10.1155\/2013\/475605"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Michel, A.L., Geoghegan, C., Hlokwe, T., Raseleka, K., Getz, W.M. & Marcotty, T., 2015, \u2018Longevity of Mycobacterium bovis in raw and traditional souring milk as a function of storage temperature and dose\u2019, PLoS One 10(6), e0129926. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0129926","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0129926"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mohammed, S., Saidu, A.S., Jajere, S.M., Tomar, P., Wakil, A.M., Mohammed, J. et al., 2019, \u2018Risk factors assessment of bovine tuberculosis among abattoir personnel in Gombe State, Northeastern Nigeria: A one-health approach\u2019, International Journal of One Health 5, 1\u20138. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.14202\/IJOH.2019.1-8","DOI":"10.14202\/IJOH.2019.1-8"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Olea-Popelka, F., Muwonge, A., Perera, A., Dean, A.S., Mumford, E., Erlacher-Vindel, E. et al., 2017, \u2018Zoonotic tuberculosis in human beings caused by Mycobacterium bovis \u2013 A call for action\u2019, Lancet Infectious Diseases 17(1), e21\u2013e25. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S1473-3099(16)30139-6","DOI":"10.1016\/S1473-3099(16)30139-6"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rogall, T., Wolters, J., Flohr, T. & Bottger, E.C., 1990, \u2018Towards a phylogeny and definition of species at the molecular level within the genus Mycobacterium\u2019, International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 40(4), 323\u2013330. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1099\/00207713-40-4-323","DOI":"10.1099\/00207713-40-4-323"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sa\u2019idu, A.S., Okolocha, E.C., Dzikwi, A.A., Gamawa, A.A., Ibrahim, S., Kwaga, J.K.P. et al., 2015, \u2018Public health implications and risk factors assessment of Mycobacterium bovis infections among abattoir personnel in Bauchi state, Nigeria\u2019, Journal of Veterinary Medicine 2015(1), 718193. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1155\/2015\/718193","DOI":"10.1155\/2015\/718193"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sichewo, P.R., Vander Kelen, C., Thys, S. & Michel, A.L., 2020, \u2018Risk practices for bovine tuberculosis transmission to cattle and livestock farming communities living at wildlife-livestock-human interface in northern KwaZulu Natal, South Africa\u2019, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 14(3), e0007618. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pntd.0007618","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0007618"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sreeramareddy, C.T., Harsha Kumar, H.N. & Arokiasamy, J.T., 2013, \u2018Prevalence of self-reported tuberculosis, knowledge about tuberculosis transmission and its determinants among adults in India: Results from a nation-wide cross-sectional household survey\u2019, BMC Infectious Diseases 13, 1\u20139. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/1471-2334-13-16","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2334-13-16"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Swai, E.S., Schoonman, L. & Daborn, C., 2010, \u2018Knowledge and attitude towards zoonoses among animal health workers and livestock keepers in Arusha and Tanga, Tanzania\u2019, Tanzania Journal of Health Research 12(4), 272\u2013277. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4314\/thrb.v12i4.54709","DOI":"10.4314\/thrb.v12i4.54709"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tschopp, R., Bekele, S., Moti, T., Young, D. & Aseffa, A., 2015, \u2018Brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis prevalence in livestock from pastoralist communities adjacent to Awash National Park, Ethiopia\u2019, Preventive Veterinary Medicine 120(2), 187\u2013194. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.prevetmed.2015.03.004","DOI":"10.1016\/j.prevetmed.2015.03.004"},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Van Helden, P.D. & Michel, A., 2019, \u2018Bovine TB Zoonosis in Africa\u2019, Tuberculosis in animals: an African perspective, pp. 31\u201340, Springer International Publishing, Cham.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-030-18690-6_3"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Weldegebriel, M., Hailu, K., Seid, K., Negash, L., Weldu, Y., Fantay, H. et al., 2025, \u2018Prevalence of Mycobacterium Bovis infection and associated risk factors among dairy farm cattle in Mekelle and Wukro towns, Northern Ethiopia\u2019, BMC Microbiology 25, 539. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12866-025-04267-y","DOI":"10.1186\/s12866-025-04267-y"}],"container-title":["Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/ojvr.org\/index.php\/ojvr\/article\/view\/2250\/2803","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,16]],"date-time":"2026-03-16T14:43:26Z","timestamp":1773672206000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/ojvr.org\/index.php\/ojvr\/article\/view\/2250"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,18]]},"references-count":27,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,1]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/ojvr.v93i1.2250","relation":{},"ISSN":["0030-2465","2219-0635"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0030-2465","type":"print"},{"value":"2219-0635","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,18]]},"article-number":"a2250"}}