Keywords
Urban planning
slaughterhouses
occupational health
spatial proximity
How to Cite
Abstract
Urban slaughterhouses in developing cities often operate in densely populated environments with limited oversight, posing significant occupational health risks. This study investigated the influence of urban planning and proximity factors on disease transmission among workers in slaughterhouses across Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. The aim was to assess how spatial placement, architectural design, and environmental exposures contribute to occupational illnesses. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving geospatial analysis, environmental monitoring, health surveys (n = 180), and facility inspections across six slaughterhouses (SH-1 to SH-6). GPS mapping revealed that four out of six facilities were within 200 meters of residential or market areas, with SH-1, SH-3, and SH-5 violating basic zoning regulations. Environmental monitoring showed elevated PM2.5 levels ranging from 54–94 µg/m³ (WHO limit: 25 µg/m³), with the highest levels at SH-3 (94 µg/m³). Ammonia (NH₃) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) concentrations exceeded safe thresholds in three facilities. Health data showed respiratory symptoms in up to 73% of workers (SH-3) and skin infections in 60% (SH-3). A strong positive correlation was observed between PM2.5 exposure and reported illness, and a significant negative correlation between distance to residential areas and respiratory complaints. Poor infrastructure, weak policy enforcement, and improper zoning were found to exacerbate these health risks. This study concludes that inadequate urban design and poor slaughterhouse placement significantly impacted occupational health. It recommends spatial restructuring, infrastructure upgrades, and integration of health impact assessments into abattoir planning policies in Nigeria.
References
Ezechi, E. H., Nwabuko, C. G., Enyinnaya, O. C., & Babington, C. J. (2017). Municipal solid waste management in Aba, Nigeria: Challenges and prospects. Environmental Engineering Research, 22(3), 231–236. https://doi.org/10.4491/eer.2017.100
Aliyu, A. A., & Amadu, L. (2017). Urbanization, cities, and health: The challenges to Nigeria – A review. Annals of African Medicine, 16(4), 149–158. https://doi.org/10.4103/aam.aam_1_17
Abdullahi, A., Hassan, A., Kadarman, N., Yakubu, J., Adeyemo, O., & Lua, P. L. (2016). Occupational hazards among abattoir workers associated with noncompliance to meat processing and waste disposal laws in Malaysia. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 9, 157–163. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S98271
Kasaeinasab, A., Jahangiri, M., Karimi, A., Tabatabaei, H. R., & Safari, S. (2017). Respiratory disorders among workers in slaughterhouses. Safety and Health at Work, 8(1), 84–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2016.04.002
Adeyemo, O. K., Ayodeji, I. O., & Aiki-Raji, C. O. (2002). The water quality and sanitary conditions in a major abattoir (Bodija) in Ibadan, Nigeria. African Journal of Biomedical Research, 5, 51–55.
Okoli, C. G., Okoli, I. C., Okorondu, U. V., & Opara, M. N. (2006). Environmental and public health issues of animal food products delivery system in Imo State, Nigeria. Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences, 2, 2.
Dada, O. T., Odufuwa, B. O., Badiora, A. I., Agbabiaka, H. I., Ogunseye, N. O., & Samuel, O. S. (2020). Environmental hazard and health risks associated with slaughterhouses in Ibadan, Nigeria. Environmental Hazards, 20(2), 146–162. https://doi.org/10.1080/17477891.2020.1747382
Istifanus, V., & Bwala, H. B. (2017). Infrastructure challenges: The review of environmental and health implication of abattoir operation in a developing country. Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Science, 5(6), 60–72.
Grace, K., Davenport, F., Hanson, H., Funk, C., & Shukla, S. (2015). Linking climate change and health outcomes: Examining the relationship between temperature, precipitation and birth weight in Africa. Global Environmental Change, 35, 125–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2015.06.010
Hasan, M. A., Uddin, M. B., & Ahmed, S. S. U. (2024). Knowledge, attitudes and practices of meat hygiene among slaughterhouse workers and retail meat sellers in Bangladesh. Heliyon, 10(22), e40066. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40066
Ovuru, K. F., Izah, S. C., Ogidi, O. I., Imarhiagbe, O., & Ogwu, M. C. (2023). Slaughterhouse facilities in developing nations: Sanitation and hygiene practices, microbial contaminants and sustainable management system. Food Science and Biotechnology, 33(3), 519–537. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-023-01406-x
Adesokan, H. K., Akinseye, V. O., & Sulaimon, M. A. (2018). Knowledge and practices about zoonotic tuberculosis prevention and associated determinants among livestock workers in Nigeria. PLOS ONE, 13(6), e0198810. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198810
Nwanta, J., Onunkwo, J., & Ezenduka, E. (2010). Analysis of Nsukka metropolitan abattoir solid waste and its bacterial contents in southeastern Nigeria: Public health implication. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 65(1), 21–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/19338240903390263
Kagira, J. M., Njuki, P. N., Maingi, N., Githigia, S. M., Ng’ang’a, J. C., & Karuga, J. W. (2010). Characteristics of the smallholder free-range pig production system in western Kenya. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 42(5), 865–873. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-009-9500-y
Bienibuor, A. K., Preko, K., Aning, A. A., Menyeh, A., Wemegah, D. D., & Appiah, M. K. (2025). Groundwater potential and quality assessment of the Oti Pendjari and Obosum Groups of the Atebubu municipality. Applied Water Science, 15, Article 195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-025-02309-1
Abada, I. M., & Ngwu, E. C. (2019). Corruption, governance, and Nigeria’s uncivil society, 1999-2016. Análise Social, 54(231 (2)), 386–408. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26747550
Aluwong, T., & Bello, M. (2010). Emerging diseases and implications for Millennium Development Goals in Africa by 2015: An overview. Veterinaria Italiana, 46(2), 137–145.
Von Schirnding, Y., & Yach, D. (2002). Unhealthy consumption threatens sustainable development. Revista de Saúde Pública, 36(4), 379–382. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102002000400001
Fator, M., & Zomrawi, N. (2015). Etrex Garmin GPS receiver accuracy testing. International Journal of Recent Innovation Trends in Computing and Communication, 3(5).
Arita, S., Ba, M. F., Traoré, Z., Bonnet, E., Faye, A., & Ridde, V. (2023). Use of interviewer-administered telephone surveys during infectious disease outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics: A scoping review. BMJ Global Health, 8(5), e011109. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2022-011109
Madu, F. U., Akubugwo, E. I., Ogbulie, T. E., Uhegbu, F. O., Agoro, E. S., Nwosu, O. U., Ugenyi, A. U., Ononogbo, P. C., & Madu, M. C. (2025a). Characterization of particulate matter exposure and health implications in poorly ventilated chemical retail outlets: Evidence from Ogbo-Ogwu Market. Pollution, 2025a. https://doi.org/10.22059/poll.2025.382761.2566
Madu, F. U., Akubugwo, E. I., Ogbulie, T. E., Uhegbu, F. O., Agoro, E. S., Nwosu, O. U., Ugenyi, A. U., Ononogbo, P. C., & Madu, M. C. (2025b). Air quality and health risks in chemical supply shops in Southeastern Nigeria. Toxicology and Industrial Health, 41(5). https://doi.org/10.1177/07482337251349359
Dal Bò, E., Gentili, C., Spoto, A., Bruno, G., Castellani, A., Tripodi, C., Fischmeister, F. P. S., & Cecchetto, C. (2021). The social odor scale: Development and initial validation of a new scale for the assessment of social odor awareness. PLoS ONE, 16(12), e0260587. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260587
Alif, S., & Fauzi, A. (2020). Association between surface air temperature and land use on the campus scale. Journal of Geoscience, Engineering, Environment, and Technology, 5(3), 161–169. https://doi.org/10.25299/jgeet.2020.5.3.5187
Atkinson, J., Chartier, Y., Pessoa-Silva, C. L., et al. (Eds.). (2009). Natural ventilation for infection control in health-care settings. World Health Organization. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143277/
FMEnv. (2005). Policy guidelines on market and abattoir sanitation. Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja, Nigeria. https://ehcon.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/POLICY-GUIDELINES-ON-MARKET-AND-ABATTOIR-SANITATION-2005-1.pdf
Scott, C., Bor, N., Reyher, K. K., Tasker, A. J., Buller, H., Bueno, I., et al. (2025). A qualitative exploration of the enablers of and barriers to conformance with antibiotic withdrawal periods on smallholding, peri-urban pig farms in Kiambu County, Kenya. PLoS ONE, 20(1), e0312362. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312362
Adeniyi, L., Ayodeji, O., Folorunso, S., & Adesoye, O. (2025). Assessing environmental quality and health implications of slaughterhouses’ operation within urban residential settings of a developing country. Urban Sustainability and Society, 2, 178–195. https://doi.org/10.1108/USS-08-2024-0052
Bempah, S., Curtis, A., Awandare, G., Ajayakumar, J., & Nyakoe, N. (2022). The health-trash nexus in challenging environments: A spatial mixed methods analysis of Accra, Ghana. Applied Geography, 143, 102701. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2022.102701
Bălă, G. P., Râjnoveanu, R. M., Tudorache, E., Motișan, R., & Oancea, C. (2021). Air pollution exposure—the (in)visible risk factor for respiratory diseases. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 28(16), 19615–19628. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13208-x
OECD/UNCTAD. (2023). Production transformation policy review of Bangladesh: Investing in the future of a trading nation. OECD Development Pathways. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/8b925b06-en
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 Francis Madu, Chininso Unagha, Gerald Anozie, Agnes Nnamdi, Sylvia Chukwukere, Celestine Ogechi Obele