Scoping review of knowledge, attitudes, and practices to zoonotic diseases among abattoir workers and residents in proximity to abattoirs in low-middle income countries

Background: Zoonotic diseases pose a significant public health threat in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This scoping review aimed to map the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of abattoir workers and residents living near abattoirs regarding zoonotic diseases in LMICs. Methodology/principal findings: A comprehensive search was conducted in SCOPUS, PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar for articles published between 2010 and 2023. Studies were included if they were conducted in LMICs, published in English, and focused on the KAP of zoonotic diseases among abattoir workers or nearby residents. Data extraction was conducted using a double-blind approach, and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Of the 4,276 articles screened, 16 met the inclusion criteria. The studies were conducted in nine LMICs, with Nigeria (6; 38%) and Ethiopia (3; 19%) accounting for the highest number. Most studies reported on knowledge (10; 63%) and practices (12; 75%), while 4 (25%) addressed attitudes. Abattoir workers showed varied knowledge of zoonotic diseases, but substantial gaps in preventive practices were observed. Notably, no studies examined the KAP of residents living near abattoirs. Conclusion/significance: This review underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve KAP among abattoir workers and to expand research to include nearby residents. A conceptual framework was developed to identify factors influencing KAP and guide future research, education, and policy development for zoonotic disease prevention in LMICs. Author summary: Zoonotic diseases, infectious diseases transmitted between animals and humans, present a significant public health concern causing an estimated 2.5 billion cases and 2.7 million deaths annually. This scoping review analysed 16 studies from nine LMICs to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of abattoir workers regarding these diseases. The findings revealed that while workers showed varying levels of knowledge, their preventive practices were often inadequate. Many did not use personal protective equipment and frequently consumed unprocessed animal products such as raw meat and milk. Importantly, no study examined the KAP of residents living near abattoirs, revealing a major research gap. We developed a conceptual framework based on the results to map the individual, cultural, and institutional factors influencing KAP. This framework can guide future studies, interventions, and policy decisions to reduce the risks of zoonotic disease transmission in LMICs.