Title: Assessment Of Cattle Handlers' Practices And Associated Risks To Human Health And Environmental Safety In Afijio Local Government.
Authors: Azeez Abdullahi Akinwale PhD
Volume: 10
Issue: 7
Pages: 36-40
Publication Date: 2026/07/28
Abstract:
This study assessed cattle handlers' practices and associated risks to human health and environmental safety in Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 30 settlement heads (Hakimi) from three major cattle-producing towns: Akinmorin, Ilora, and Awe. Data were collected using key informants interviewer-administered questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that 90% of respondents were aged 60 years and above, all were male, married, and predominantly Fulani, with 96.7% having no formal education. All respondents had over 20 years of herding experience, with most controlling between 6-10 herders and owning over 201 cattle. Although 93.3% reported easy access to veterinary services, 91.7% relied on traditional remedies for treating cattle diseases, including harmful substances such as petrol mixed with salt, calcium carbide, ethanol with procaine penicillin, and battery fluid. These practices pose significant risks of chemical residues in meat, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental contamination. The study highlights the urgent need for improved veterinary extension services, stricter regulation of drug use, and targeted education programs to promote safe, evidence-based cattle health management practices in rural communities.