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: Ibraheem Ghali-Mohammed, Aminullah Ajiyobiojo Azeez, Mutiat Adenike Adetona, Akeem Adebola Bakare, Tajudeen Opeyemi Isola, Damilola Christiana Olawoye, Nma Bida Alhaji, Ismail Ayoade Odetokun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-07-01
Series:Discover Food
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00506-3
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author Ibraheem Ghali-Mohammed
Aminullah Ajiyobiojo Azeez
Mutiat Adenike Adetona
Akeem Adebola Bakare
Tajudeen Opeyemi Isola
Damilola Christiana Olawoye
Nma Bida Alhaji
Ismail Ayoade Odetokun
author_facet Ibraheem Ghali-Mohammed
Aminullah Ajiyobiojo Azeez
Mutiat Adenike Adetona
Akeem Adebola Bakare
Tajudeen Opeyemi Isola
Damilola Christiana Olawoye
Nma Bida Alhaji
Ismail Ayoade Odetokun
author_sort Ibraheem Ghali-Mohammed
collection DOAJ
description 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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spelling doaj-art-f20dba4125cf44e78a32ca6cfd65a1ff2025-08-20T03:45:30ZengSpringerDiscover Food2731-42862025-07-015111310.1007/s44187-025-00506-3Knowledge, attitude, and practice levels of Fulani milk processors toward milk contamination and hygiene in Northern Oyo State, NigeriaIbraheem Ghali-Mohammed0Aminullah Ajiyobiojo Azeez1Mutiat Adenike Adetona2Akeem Adebola Bakare3Tajudeen Opeyemi Isola4Damilola Christiana Olawoye5Nma Bida Alhaji6Ismail Ayoade Odetokun7Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of IlorinDepartment of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of IlorinDepartment of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of IlorinDepartment of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of CincinnatiDepartment of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of IlorinDepartment of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of IlorinAfrica Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety, Federal University of TechnologyDepartment of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of IlorinAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00506-3Milk contaminationHygiene practicesFulani milk processorsPublic healthNorthern Oyo StateDairy value chain
spellingShingle Ibraheem Ghali-Mohammed
Aminullah Ajiyobiojo Azeez
Mutiat Adenike Adetona
Akeem Adebola Bakare
Tajudeen Opeyemi Isola
Damilola Christiana Olawoye
Nma Bida Alhaji
Ismail Ayoade Odetokun
Knowledge, attitude, and practice levels of Fulani milk processors toward milk contamination and hygiene in Northern Oyo State, Nigeria
Discover Food
Milk contamination
Hygiene practices
Fulani milk processors
Public health
Northern Oyo State
Dairy value chain
title Knowledge, attitude, and practice levels of Fulani milk processors toward milk contamination and hygiene in Northern Oyo State, Nigeria
title_full Knowledge, attitude, and practice levels of Fulani milk processors toward milk contamination and hygiene in Northern Oyo State, Nigeria
title_fullStr Knowledge, attitude, and practice levels of Fulani milk processors toward milk contamination and hygiene in Northern Oyo State, Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge, attitude, and practice levels of Fulani milk processors toward milk contamination and hygiene in Northern Oyo State, Nigeria
title_short Knowledge, attitude, and practice levels of Fulani milk processors toward milk contamination and hygiene in Northern Oyo State, Nigeria
title_sort knowledge attitude and practice levels of fulani milk processors toward milk contamination and hygiene in northern oyo state nigeria
topic Milk contamination
Hygiene practices
Fulani milk processors
Public health
Northern Oyo State
Dairy value chain
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00506-3
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