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