Abstract

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the operational facilities and sanitary practices in Zangon Shanu abattoir, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Semi structured questionnaires were administered to the workers and also observational studies on facilities and sanitary practices in the abattoir were conducted. The results showed that 75.00% of the abattoir workers were between the ages of 25 to 35 years, with majority (P<0.05) not well educated. Also 60.00% of the workers are working in the abattoir for more than 6 years (P<0.05), with only 40.00% were well trained on abattoir operations. Observational assessment of abattoir facilities revealed that the size and sitting of the abattoir were very satisfactory, however not cited close to livestock market. Facilities such as lairage, evisceration section, guttery and tripery section, cold room, detained meat section and condemned meat section are present but non-functional. There is ample supply of water from the overhead tank and also hand pump borehole. Most of the solid wastes (bones, horns and undigested ingesta) were packed in sacks and transported out of the abattoir for other uses, while the rests were burnt in the abattoir and the ashes packed for other uses. Liquid wastes was normally done manually by sweeping with brooms and directed into the drainage system which was opened into the nearby stream and bush. All blood from the slaughtered animals were collected into containers, boiled and taken out of the abattoir for other uses. Cleaning and disinfection of the slaughter slabs, premises and floors were done daily and the wastewater and its effluents directed into drainage. The study recommends renovation of some facilities; provision of sanitary sections with well-equipped facilities and provision of bins and dumpsites for proper disposal of wastes.

Key words: assessment, operational facilities, sanitary practices, solid and liquid wastes, Zagon Shanu abattoir.