Food safety knowledge, attitude, and practice toward compliance with abattoir laws among the abattoir workers in Malaysia.

PURPOSE: Foodborne diseases are common in the developing countries due to the predominant poor food handling and sanitation practices, particularly as a result of inadequate food safety laws, weak regulatory structures, and inadequate funding as well as a lack of appropriate education for food-handlers. The most frequently involved foods in disease outbreaks are of animal origin. However, in spite of the adequate legislation and laws governing the abattoir operation in Malaysia, compliance with food safety requirements during meat processing and waste disposal is inadequate. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the food safety knowledge, attitude, and practice toward compliance with abattoir laws among the workers in Terengganu, Malaysia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using simple random sampling technique in the six districts of Terengganu: two districts were used for the pilot study and the remaining four were used for the main study. One hundred sixty-five abattoir workers from the selected districts were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.
RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation of knowledge, attitude, and practice scores of the workers were 6.02 and 1.954, 45.16 and 4.496, and 18.03 and 3.186, respectively. The majority of the workers (38.8%) had a low level of knowledge and 91.7% had a positive attitude, while 77.7% had a good practice of compliance. Sex had a significant association with the level of knowledge (P<0.001) and practice (P=0.044) among the workers. The females had a higher level of knowledge than the males, while the males had a better practice of compliance than females. Similarly, knowledge also had a significant (P=0.009) association with the level of practice toward compliance with abattoir laws among the workers.
CONCLUSION: The abattoir workers had a positive attitude and good practice, but a low level of knowledge toward compliance with the abattoir laws. Therefore, public awareness, workshops, and seminars relevant to the abattoir operations should be encouraged.

Introduction

Foodborne diseases occur commonly in the developing countries due to the predominant poor food handling and sanitation practices, inadequate food safety laws, weak regulatory systems, lack of financial resources to invest in safer equipment, and lack of education for food-handlers.1 Foods such as meat could be regarded as a high-risk food owing to their abundant ingredients that could favor the growth of microorganisms.2 The foods most frequently involved in disease outbreaks are those of animal origin, particularly beef, poultry, pork, milk, fish, and eggs.3 There is a strong relationship between meat consumption and foodborne disease outbreaks.4 The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that every year there could be outbreaks of foodborne diseases that might have resulted from foods of animal origin, causing ∼76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths per annum.5 Still little efforts are being made, especially in the developing countries, to address these public health challenges.6 There is little information about the true level of exposure of specific populations to potential hazards, especially in the case of bacterial diseases that are transmitted by consumption of meat and meat products.6

However, in spite of the adequate legislation and laws governing the abattoir operation in Malaysia, compliance with the food safety requirements during meat processing and waste disposal are inadequate. Hence, meat-borne illnesses resulting from the consumption of contaminated meat continue to be a public health concern in the developing countries, including Malaysia.7–9 Moreover, it is very important to have a clear understanding of the interaction of the prevailing food safety, knowledge, and practices of food-handlers in reducing foodborne outbreaks.10 Furthermore, there was little or no information available on the level of food safety knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding compliance with abattoir laws among the abattoir workers in Terengganu, Malaysia. Therefore, these could hinder the development of appropriate disease prevention and public health intervention strategies. Hence, the present study was designed to assess the food safety KAP toward compliance with abattoir laws among the workers in Terengganu.

Materials and methods

Study settings

This study was conducted in four administrative districts in Terengganu, Malaysia. The selection was based on the presence of a large number of meat processing plants. Terengganu is located at latitude 5°19′48″N and longitude 103°08′26″E in the northeastern Peninsular Malaysia. Terengganu is bordered on the northwest by the Kelantan state, southwest by the Pahang state, and east by the South China Sea. Terengganu covers a land area of 12,995 km2 with 244 km of scenic coastline, overlooking the South China Sea.11 Out of the seven districts of Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Dungun, Kemaman, and Besut were randomly chosen for this study. There was only one government-licensed abattoir in each district except Marang that had none. In Kuala Terengganu, apart from the government-owned abattoir, there is also one licensed private poultry abattoir that was included in the study. All the participants were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria for this study. However, only registered workers in licensed abattoirs in Terengganu were included in the study.

Study design

The study was a cross-sectional survey of food safety KAP toward compliance with abattoir laws among the abattoir workers in Terengganu, Malaysia.

Target population

The target population for this study was all people working in abattoirs or meat processing plants of ∼5 km radius in the four districts of Terengganu.

Sample size and sampling technique

The sample size was estimated based on the single proportion formula: where N is the required sample size, Z is the reliability coefficient at 95% confidence interval (1.96), p is the population proportion, q is equal to 1−p, and d is the acceptable error (0.05).12

To the best of our knowledge, there is no available literature on previous work on KAP of noncompliance with meat processing and waste disposal laws in Terengganu, Malaysia. Hence, a pilot study was conducted to compute an estimate of the value of p that later was applied to calculate the sample size. Standard values that could be used in this formula to calculate sample size might be either larger or smaller of a better estimate of p. This procedure should be used when someone is unable to arrive at a better estimate of p.13

The following shows the overall percentages that have been calculated from our pilot studies (the value for p used in this study was 89%): knowledge, 62%; attitude, 70%; and practice, 89%.

The pilot studies were done in two districts and were not included in the actual survey. The districts used were Setiu and Hulu Terengganu in which 100 residents and 60 abattoir workers were included to participate in the pilot study.

The value for p used in this study was 89%, which was obtained from the overall practice score during the pilot study. The sample size obtained was 165, and the pretested questionnaire was administered to each of the abattoir workers in the selected districts. Only 121 workers responded, giving a response rate of 73.3%. Forty-four (26.7%) questionnaires were not included in the study due to respondent’s declinations and missing data. Simple random sampling technique was applied in the six districts of Terengganu: two districts were used for the pilot study and the remaining four districts were used for the main study.

Research instrument and measurement

A structured questionnaire was developed, which was used to conduct the pilot study; later, it was validated and used in the main study. The questionnaire was made up of four parts. In part I, questions were directed toward gaining information regarding the workers’ socio-demographic characteristics, while in parts II, III, and IV, respectively, questions were asked regarding their KAP on compliance with the abattoir laws throughout the entire meat processing activities.

Part I: knowledge regarding the abattoir laws

There were ten questions in this part and the workers were asked regarding their knowledge level toward the rules and regulations governing the abattoir operations. Each question had two choices. A correct answer was given 1 score, whereas a 0 score was given for a wrong answer. The original Bloom’s cut-off points, 80.0%–100.0%, 60.0%–79.0%, and ≤59.0%, were adapted and modified from the KAP study conducted on dengue fever prevention among the people of Male’, Maldives and Bangkok in 2007.14 They were used to classify KAP into three levels. The scores for knowledge varied from 1 to 10 points and were classified into three levels as follows: 1. high level: 8–10 scores; 2. moderate level: 6–7 scores; and 3. low level: 0–5 scores.

Part II: attitude toward the abattoir laws

This part includes questions regarding the attitude of the abattoir workers toward the abattoir laws throughout the stages in meat processing and waste disposal; it was assessed using Likert scale. There were ten positive statements. The rating scale was measured as follows: positive statement with choices strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree, and strongly disagree and scores 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1, respectively.

The scores varied from 0 to 50, and all individual answers were summed up for total scores and calculated for mean. The scores were classified into three levels (positive attitude, neutral attitude, and negative attitude): 1. positive attitude: 39–50 scores; 2. neutral attitude: 33–38 scores; and 3. negative attitude: 0–32 scores.

Part III: practice regarding compliance with the abattoir laws

In this part, ten questions were included. The scores regarding compliance with the abattoir laws throughout the operation activities varied from 0 to 20. These scores were classified into three levels. The ten items were assessed as zero-one indicator (dichotomous) variables. The variables were given the value zero for “no” and value one for “yes.” They were classified as good practice, fair practice, and poor practice as follows: 1. good level: 18–20 scores; 2. fair level: 11–17 scores; and 3. poor level: 0–10 scores.

Ethical consideration

Permission to conduct the research was approved by Universiti Human Resource Ethics Committee (UHREC) and Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-allied Product Kuala Lumpur as well as Terengganu State Director of Veterinary Services. The names of the participants in all the abattoirs were not stated after data collection, analysis, and presentation; so as to ensure confidentiality. Participants in the study were given all the information regarding the study and signed the informed consent form before they were recruited into the study.

Data analysis and statistical application

Data entry and analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Version 20. The questionnaires were weighed to check the accuracy of the data entry by data cleansing and exploration method in the database. Descriptive statistics such as frequency (%) for categorical data and mean and standard deviation (SD) for numerical data was used primarily to summarize and describe the data to make them more graspable. χ2 test was also used to find the relationship between the sociodemographic characteristics with knowledge and practice scores. Finally, the correlation was used to check the relationship between knowledge and practice as well as attitude and practice scores among the workers.

Results

Demographic information of the abattoirs workers

One hundred and twenty-one participants completed the survey questionnaires. Table 1 shows that the majority of the participants were males (63.6%). The mean age of the participants was 40 years with an SD of 12.57. The age ranged from 18 years to 69 years, and 81.0% were married. All the participants were Malays (100.0%), and higher percentages were educated at the secondary school (84.3%). The majority of the workers (61.2%) did not state their specific position or responsibilities.

Table 1

Demographic characteristics of the abattoir workers (n=121)

Characteristics	Mean (SD)	Number	Percentage
Sex
Male		77	63.6
Female		44	36.4
Age	39.50 (12.57)
Minimum	18*
Maximum	69*
Marital status
Single		20	16.5
Married		98	81.0
Divorced		3	2.5
Ethnicity
Malay		121	100.0
Educational level
No education		4	3.3
Primary education		12	9.9
Secondary education		102	84.3
Tertiary education		3	2.5
Position
Veterinarian		1	0.8
Meat inspector		14	11.6
Butcher		18	14.9
Manager		2	1.7
Assistant veterinarian		12	9.9
Others (Unqualified)		74	61.2
Duration of working in an abattoir	6.31 (6.13)
Average number of animals handled	786.74 (1,839.63)

Note:

Minimum and maximum ages of the respondents.

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Distribution of knowledge level regarding the abattoir laws

The workers answered a total of ten close-ended questions regarding the abattoir laws. Each correct response was given 1 mark with a total of 10 marks. The mean and SD of knowledge scores of the workers were 6.02 (1.954). Table 2 shows that the majority of the workers (38.8%) had a low level of knowledge, 33.9% had a moderate level of knowledge, and only 27.3% of the workers had a higher level of knowledge.

Table 2

Distribution of knowledge level regarding compliance with the abattoir laws (n=121)

Level	Number (n=121)	Percentage
High (8–10 scores)	33	27.3
Moderate (6–7 scores)	41	33.9
Low (0–5 scores)	47	38.8
Total	121	100.0

Notes: Minimum =0; maximum =10; mean =6.02; SD =1.954.

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Among the workers, only 33.9% knew that noncompliance could result in the transmission of diseases from animal to human beings. Similarly, 50.4% of the workers knew that disposal of solid waste, blood, and effluents into the nearby river could lead to water pollution (Table 3).

Table 3

Number and percentage of the questions on the knowledge level regarding the abattoir laws, answered correctly by the workers (n=121)

Questions		Number	Percentage
1.	Noncompliance means failure to act according to the rules and regulations set up by the government.	101	83.5
2.	One of the important results of compliance with abattoir laws is that it helps in minimizing the spread of diseases to the general public.	112	92.6
3.	Noncompliance does not result in transmission of disease from animal to human beings.	41	33.9
4.	The antemortem inspection should be done before the animal is slaughtered.	95	78.5
5.	Postmortem inspection can be done by any person working at the abattoir.	59	48.8
6.	If meat processing is done in good hygienic condition, it can lead to the spread of pathogens to the general public.	106	87.6
7.	Good personal hygiene by abattoir workers can result in contamination of the processed carcass.	100	82.6
8.	All equipments used during meat processing should be properly washed and sterilized after each usage.	88	72.7
9.	Disposal of solid waste, blood, and effluents into the nearby river does not cause water pollution.	61	50.4
10.	Provision of good sanitation to the abattoir environment will help reduce the spread of diseases to the neighboring community.	95	78.5

Attitude level toward the abattoir laws

The attitude level of the workers regarding the abattoir laws was classified as positive, neutral, and negative (Table 4). The mean and SD of the attitude scores were 45.16 and 4.496, respectively. The majority of the workers had a positive attitude (91.7%) and 6.6% had a neutral attitude, while 1.7% had a negative attitude toward the abattoir laws. Table 5 shows that the majority of the workers had strongly agreed with most of the statements on attitude toward the abattoir laws.

Table 4

Distribution of attitude level toward compliance with the abattoir laws (n=121)

Level	Number (n=121)	Percentage
Positive (39–50 scores)	111	91.7
Neutral (33–38 scores)	8	6.6
Negative (0–32 scores)	2	1.7
Total	121	100.0

Notes: Minimum =29; maximum =50; mean =45.16; SD =4.496.

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Table 5

Number and percentage of the workers’ attitude toward the abattoir laws (n=121)

Questions		N (%)
		Strongly agree	Agree	Not sure	Disagree	Strongly disagree
1.	All abattoirs must be registered and operated according to the laws set up by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry.	98 (81.0)	19 (15.7)	3 (2.5)	0 (0.0)	1 (0.8)
2.	Only properly trained personnel will be allowed to work in an abattoir.	77 (63.6)	38 (31.4)	4 (3.3)	2 (1.7)	0 (0.0)
3.	All personnel working in the abattoir must be in their protective clothing during operation.	73 (60.3)	39 (32.2)	3 (2.5)	5 (4.1)	0 (0.8)
4.	Any animal found with the zoonotic disease at antemortem inspection must be condemned completely.	59 (48.8)	20 (16.5)	23 (19.0)	19 (15.7)	0 (0.0)
5.	The government should compensate owners whose animals are found not be fit for human consumptions.	44 (36.4)	29 (24.0)	35 (28.9)	13 (10.7)	0 (0.0)
6.	All meat inspection activity must be carried out only by a qualified veterinarian or meat inspectors.	85 (70.2)	25 (20.7)	9 (7.4)	2 (1.7)	0 (0.0)
7.	Compliance with the abattoir laws during meat processing and waste disposal can only be achieved if all proper measures are taken and followed.	92 (76.0)	23 (19.0)	6 (5.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
8.	Only clean and safe water should be used to wash all carcasses in the abattoir.	98 (81.0)	20 (16.6)	3 (2.5)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
9.	Compliance with the standard methods of waste disposal is the only solution that can prevent water and air pollution.	97 (80.2)	21 (17.4)	3 (2.5)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)
10.	You are one of the most important people to follow all the related law to prevent disease transmission.	87 (71.9)	25 (20.7)	9 (7.4)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)

Practice level toward compliance with the abattoir laws

The mean and SD of the abattoir workers toward compliance with the abattoir laws were 18.03 and 3.186, respectively. Among the workers, 77.7% had a good practice, 18.2% had a fair practice, and 4.1% had a poor practice (Table 6). Most of the workers received animals that appeared healthy from farm or market (87.6%). Table 7 indicates that 89.3% of the workers used protective clothing on a daily basis before starting operation in the abattoir, while 86% maintained the abattoir environment clean and hygienic regularly. Similarly, Table 7 also shows that most of the workers had high response toward practice concerning compliance with the abattoir laws.

Table 6

Distribution of practice level toward compliance with the abattoir laws (n=121)

Level	Number (n=121)	Percentage
Good (18–20 scores)	94	77.7
Fair (11–17 scores)	22	18.2
Poor (0–10 scores)	5	4.1
Total	121	100.0

Notes: Minimum =0; maximum =20; mean =18.03; SD =3.816.

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Table 7

Number and percentage of the questions on practice level toward compliance with the abattoir laws (n=121)

Questions		Number	Percentage
1.	Is your working place registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry?	107	88.4
2.	Do you only receive animals that appear healthy from farm or market?	106	87.6
3.	Does the veterinarian or a meat inspector perform their duties regularly?	104	86.0
4.	Do you use protective clothing on a daily basis before starting operation in an abattoir?	108	89.3
5.	Is antemortem examination carried out before slaughter of each animal?	106	87.6
6.	Are carcasses condemned either totally or partially if found unfit for human consumption?	106	87.6
7.	Is clean water used for washing carcasses after processing?	110	90.9
8.	Are carcasses weighed and graded before being sold?	94	77.7
9.	Are all solid, blood, and any form of effluent from the abattoir properly disposed as required by the regulation/law?	103	85.1
10.	Is the abattoir environment clean and hygienically maintained regularly?	104	86.0

Note: Only questions with high numbers and percentages were recorded.

Comparison of knowledge and practice between the grouping variable

There was no statistical difference found between socio-demographic variables and the level of knowledge and practice except sex. Sex had a significant association with the level of knowledge (P<0.001) and practiced (P=0.044) behavior regarding compliance with abattoir laws among the workers. Based on statistical analysis, Table 8 shows that females (27 [81.8%]) had a higher level of knowledge than the males (six [18.2%]). However, based on the personal interview and observation made during the data collection, the males appeared to be more knowledgeable than the females. Similarly, Table 9 indicates that the males had the best practice behavior of compliance with abattoir laws than the females. Table 10 shows that there was statistically significant (P=0.009) association between knowledge and the level of practice toward compliance with abattoir laws among the workers.

Table 8

Association between sex and knowledge (n=121)

Knowledge level	Sex
	Male, n (%)	Female, n (%)	Total, n (%)	χ2	df	P-value
Low	38 (80.9)	9 (19.1)	47 (100.0)
Medium	33 (80.5)	8 (19.5)	41 (100.0)	40.515a	1	<0.001a
High	6 (18.2)	27 (81.8)	33 (100.0)
Total	77 (63.6)	44 (36.4)	121 (100.0)

Note:

Pearson’s χ2 test.

Abbreviation: df, degrees of freedom.

Table 9

Association between sex and practice (n=121)

Practice level	Sex
	Male, n (%)	Female, n (%)	Total, n (%)	χ2	df	P-value
Poor	4 (80.0)	1 (20.0)	5 (100.0)
Fair	18 (81.8)	4 (18.2)	22 (100.0)	4.060a	1	0.044a
Good	55 (58.5)	39 (41.5)	94 (100.0)
Total	77 (63.6)	44 (36.4)	121 (100.0)

Note:

Linear-by-linear test.

Abbreviation: df, degrees of freedom.

Table 10

Association between knowledge and practice (n=121)

Knowledge level	Practice category
	Poor, n (%)	Fair, n (%)	Good, n (%)	Total, n (%)
Low	3 (60.0)	12 (54.5)	32 (34.0)	47 (38.8)
Medium	2 (40.0)	8 (36.4)	31 (33.0)	41 (33.9)
High	0 (0.0)	2 (9.1)	31 (33.0)	33 (27.3)
Total	5 (100.0)	22 (100.0)	94 (100.0)	121 (100.0)
χ2=6.904a	df=1		P=0.09a

Note:

Linear-by-linear test.

Abbreviation: df, degrees of freedom.

Observation results

Approximately 65.0% of the abattoirs from four different districts in Terengganu had a good location and infrastructural facilities. The proper location observed could be because the abattoirs (four) selected and surveyed were owned by the federal government of Malaysia. During the survey, 50.0% of the abattoirs had a good practice toward sanitation and pest control. Additionally, 60.0% of the abattoirs visited had good personal hygiene. Moreover, the general condition of more than half (63.0%) of the abattoirs was good. However, in the entire abattoirs visited, no records of their activities were presented during the data collection. Based on the personal observation made between the abattoirs, some differences were seen. Some of the abattoirs were cleaner and environmentally friendly than others regarding personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, and use of water guards at their entrances that could prevent transmission of pathogens from the visitors and the workers themselves to the abattoir premises. However, in one of the abattoirs surveyed, the operational activities were poor in such a way that most of their equipments were left unwashed with some blood clot on them in an open space after meat processing and the premises was not comfortable for both the workers and visitors. The variations in hygiene practice and compliance with the abattoir laws could be associated with lack of motivation from some of the management.

Discussion

Determination of KAP toward compliance with the abattoir laws among the abattoir workers is an issue of great concern in Malaysia. This could be due to the rapid increase in the number of unlicensed meat processing industries, especially in Terengganu. The KAP results of this study showed that the demographic data were not correlated with the level of practice scores except for sex. This study revealed that only sex had a significant association with the level of practice behavior regarding compliance with abattoir laws among the workers. The males had the better practice behavior of compliance with abattoir laws than the females. However, statistically, the females (81.8%) had a higher level of knowledge than the males (18.2%) even though, based on our personal interview and observation made among the workers, the males seemed to be more knowledgeable with regard to the abattoir laws compared to the females. The good practice displayed among the male workers could be attributed to the higher proportion of the males as well as their boldness and confidence than the females. Even though the previous KAP study was not carried out among abattoir workers, the findings of this study were not consistent with those of the previous KAP study conducted on dengue fever prevention (the females had better practice behavior than the males).14

The level of education had no association with the level of practice of compliance with the abattoir laws. The absence of association does not mean that education was not an important factor, but there could be other reasons that made the workers fail to apply their education in practice. Workers have been usually well equipped with the technical know-how regarding their work, but due to the high demand for the top management in achieving the daily target, sometimes they are careless to put them into practice. However, a study conducted on the typology of the Cameroon traditional slaughterhouses based on hygiene practices found that the level of noncompliance was higher among illiterate workers or workers with a low level of education.15 There was also no statistically significant association between marital status and the level practice toward compliance with abattoir laws among the workers. The result of this study indicated that marital status had no negative effect with regard to the practice of compliance with abattoir laws.

The mean score of knowledge was found to be 6.02 from a possible 10 points with an SD of 1.954. The low mean score was clearly an indication that the majority of the workers who participated in this study had a low level of knowledge (38.8%). Based on the findings of this study, 27.3% of the workers had higher knowledge and 33.9% had moderate knowledge. The low educational level was evident from their demographic characteristics that only 2.5% of the workers had attended tertiary institutions. The highest average percentage scored by the workers was on the questions on the importance of compliance with abattoir laws in minimizing the spread of diseases to the general public. The responses indicated that 92.6% were aware that compliance with abattoir laws helps in reducing the spread of diseases to the public. Similarly, the workers had good knowledge on the question regarding complying with meat processing hygiene could prevent the spread of pathogens to the general public. A higher percentage (87.6%) of the workers answered the question correctly. Another area where the workers (83.5%) answered correctly was the question of noncompliance, meaning failure to act according to the rules and regulations set up by the government. The result of this study was not consistent with the study conducted by previous researchers,16,17 who found that the level of knowledge of hygiene and safety standards among the workers was low. The majority of the workers (66.1%) had wrongly answered the question of noncompliance does not result in transmission of disease from animal to human beings. Only 33.9% of the workers had good knowledge that noncompliance could result in the transmission of diseases from animal to human beings. Therefore, this indicated that most of the workers were not aware of zoonotic diseases that could be detrimental to their health. Moreover, another important area where the workers had a knowledge deficit was on the question regarding postmortem inspection could be done by any person working at the abattoir. More than half of the workers (51.2%) incorrectly answered the question regarding the personnel responsible for postmortem inspection at abattoirs. Postmortem inspection is one of the critical points in meat processing plants; failure to comply with the abattoir laws in this regard might result in transmission of pathogens to the general public. This study was in agreement with the study conducted previously that states that poor awareness and knowledge of zoonosis combined with food consumption habits and poor animal husbandry were likely to expose respondents to an increased risk of contracting zoonosis.18 It is also consistent with the past KAP survey among the abattoir workers in Adamawa, Nigeria, that states that the majority of the workers had low knowledge regarding zoonotic infection.19

The mean survey score for the attitude toward compliance with abattoir laws was 45.16 from a possible 50 points with an SD of 4.50. It was evidently seen that the workers had a positive attitude (91.7%). Interestingly, their positive attitude might be the reason behind their good practice (77.7%) toward compliance with abattoir laws. The findings of this study showed no significant association between attitude and practice of compliance with abattoir laws among the workers. The results of this study were in agreement with the KAP study conducted among the rural communities and family health leaders on dengue prevention.14,20,21 The study also found that there was no association between knowledge and attitude among the workers. This study found few areas of negative attitude toward compliance with the abattoir laws among the abattoir workers. Only 36.4% of the workers strongly agree that the government should compensate owners whose animals were found not fit for human consumption. The lack of compensation contributed to the noncompliance by some workers since they could not force animal owners to slaughter their animal in registered abattoirs. It was also revealed in our study that animals found with zoonotic diseases at the antemortem inspection should not be condemned completely as reported by 51.2% of the abattoir workers. Therefore, this could be of public health importance due to failure to partially or completely condemn diseased animals, which could pose a danger of transmitting deadly pathogens to the public.

The mean survey score for the practice toward compliance with abattoir laws was 18.03 from a possible 20 points with an SD of 3.82. The highest mean score showed that the workers had a good practice (77.7%) toward compliance with abattoir laws. There was a significant association between knowledge and the level of practice toward compliance with abattoir laws among the abattoir workers. Additionally, the result of correlation analysis also indicated a significant correlation between knowledge and practice level among the workers. The association indicated that those workers who had a low level of knowledge tend to have high percentage (32 [34.0%]) of good practice than those with high level of knowledge (31 [33.0%]) toward compliance with abattoir laws. The findings of this study were also in line with the KAP study conducted regarding the prevention of occupational hazards and attitude toward utilization of safety measures among meat workers in the North Indian settings, which reported a significant relationship between knowledge and practice score.22 They also added that meat workers had a better score for practice about occupational hazards before starting the work than during work and after the work. The inconsistent practice could be associated with the workload performed during the operation or lack of motivation by the top management.

The main limitation of this study was the exclusion of the abattoir workers from the unlicensed slaughterhouses, who constitute the majority of the abattoirs in Terengganu. The reason was due to the limited time frame and insufficient resources while conducting the research. Based on the outcome of this study, it was assumed that the KAP score of the unlicensed abattoirs was lower than that of the licensed abattoirs in the state. A recent study conducted in Cameroon among the slaughterhouse workers indicated that the bad practices of hygiene were linked to illiteracy and traditional slaughterhouses.15 The bad practices could be because the majority of these traditional slaughterhouses were not licensed. During the data collection process in this study, it was observed that some of the unlicensed slaughtering premises along the roadside were busy butchering animals on tables and unhygienic floors very early in the morning. In most of the developing countries, meat processing is unhygienic from slaughtering, dressing, and evisceration done on the floor in slaughter halls and slabs.23 Moreover, illegally slaughtered carcasses pose a danger to human health as no inspection is carried out by a qualified veterinarian, to ensure that quality meat is supplied to the general public that is free from diseases and parasites that could transmit zoonosis.24 Since most of these illegal premises were own by private organizations and the government does not have control over them, standard hygiene control and monitoring becomes an issue of concern for the government.

Conclusion and recommendations

The was no correlation with the level of knowledge between the demographic variables (education, marital status, employment status, etc) except for sex. The females had a higher level of knowledge than the males, while the males had the better practice behavior of compliance than the females. Similarly, the level of education had no association with the level of practice of compliance with abattoir laws. The findings also indicated that the majority of the workers had a low level of knowledge but had a positive attitude and good practice toward compliance with abattoir laws. Furthermore, there was a significant association between the level of knowledge and practice. However, workers who had a low level of knowledge regarding abattoir laws were found to be of good practice toward compliance with rules and regulations governing the abattoir operation. Therefore, the abattoir workers had a positive attitude and good practice but a low level of knowledge toward compliance with abattoir laws.

Based on the outcome of this study, public education and enlightenment regarding the risk associated with noncompliance with abattoir laws, particularly to the abattoir workers, should be routinely practiced through mass media. Similarly, future educational programs in the mode of the spread of pathogens, zoonotic diseases, and personnel to carry out meat inspection should be properly taken into account for an effective compliance with abattoir laws. However, a proper motivation of the workers toward maintaining a positive attitude and good practice regarding compliance with abattoir laws as well as enforcing all the existing laws governing the abattoir operation in the country should be encouraged. It is also recommended that future research should focus on the determination of KAP and the level of compliance with abattoir laws in both licensed and unlicensed slaughterhouses across the State.