Knowledge, attitude, and practice levels of Fulani milk processors toward milk contamination and hygiene in Northern Oyo State, Nigeria
Abstract Traditional dairy practices in Northern Oyo State, Nigeria, raise significant concerns about milk contamination and public health. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of 400 Fulani milk processors toward milk contamination across five local...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Discover Food |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00506-3 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Traditional dairy practices in Northern Oyo State, Nigeria, raise significant concerns about milk contamination and public health. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of 400 Fulani milk processors toward milk contamination across five local government areas between August 2023 and January 2024. Demographic characteristics, personal hygiene practices, and milk handling procedures were evaluated using structured questionnaires. While 51.0% of respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge of milk contamination and 63.5% showed positive attitudes toward prevention, only 35.8% implemented acceptable hygiene practices. Major deficiencies included inadequate handwashing, use of untreated water from streams and ponds, lack of udder and equipment disinfection, and reliance on traditional processing methods. Educational level significantly influenced knowledge (X2 = 15.2, p = 0.002) and attitudes (X2 = 8.9, p = 0.030), especially with those with tertiary (OR: 14.84, 95% CI: 0.60-366.5, p = 0.062) and secondary (OR: 6.58, 95% CI: 0.84–51.52, p = 0.064) educational levels, respectively. Also, hygienic practices remained poor across all demographic groups. To address these gaps, implementing targeted training programs on hygienic milk handling, providing affordable support for implementing disinfection during milk processing, and launching awareness campaigns about health risks are recommended. These interventions can improve milk quality, reduce contamination rates, and strengthen the local dairy value chain. |
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| ISSN: | 2731-4286 |