Abstract

There had been several reports on the high prevalence of salmonella infection among poultry farmers in Nigeria.
This study is aimed at investigating the prevalence of salmonella infection among poultry farmers in Owerri, Imo
State. A total of ninety poultry farmers were recruited for the study. The subjects consisted of forty-five males and
forty-five female poultry farmers. Stool sample was collected in a plain sterile container. The presence of salmonella
infection was detected using standard microbiological procedures. Data generated was expressed in percentage and
presented in tables. A total of forty-three (43) poultry farmers were recruited for the study of which a total of
25(58.14%) poultry farmers has salmonella infection. There was a significant difference between the numbers of
poultry farmers that showed the presence of salmonella infection when compared to the number of poultry farmer
without salmonella infection. On the assessment of the safety practice method adopted by poultry farmers, 69.77%
reported that they do not wear gloves when handling chickens, 72.09% reported that they do not wear face masks
and apron, 97.64% reported that they do not wear hair restraint while 27.91% reported that they do not cut their
finger nails. The prevalence of salmonella infection among poultry farmers in Owerri, Imo State is high when
compared with reports from other studies. The age group >43 years has the highest prevalence of salmonella
infection, while the prevalence of salmonella infection is high among females, married and poultry farmers with poor education. This study confirms that poultry farmers in Owerri have poor knowledge and practice but moderate attitude on salmonella infection prevention.