This study investigated the knowledge and perceptions of bioethics among biomedical researchers in Osun State, Nigeria using a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire during a capacity workshop in November 2020. Demographic data, and attendee’ awareness, knowledge, and perception on bioethics and need for ethical approvals for biomedical research were collated. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and expressed as frequencies and percentages. A total of 153 biomedical researchers comprising (58%) males, and (42%) females participated in this study. Majority of the participants (60.8%) hold academic positions and about one-third of the population were graduate students (30.1%). Awareness on bioethics was high (91.5%), and more common in schools (61.4%), with majority of the participants (77.1%) describing it as a field that addresses the social and legal issues arising from medicine and life sciences (p<0.05). However, there were considerable gaps in knowledge among participants in the students and academia category, with about 16% of participants considering none or only part of the principles while about 10% felt they could obtain ethical permits while research is ongoing or completed and only 13.7% affirmed that all biomedical related researches require ethical approval. This finding calls for the incorporation of bioethics module into the curriculum of graduate students. The use of online resources, short courses, workshops and seminars can also be explored for re-enforcing training even among non-school going researchers and professionals.

Background: Haemoparasites and intestinal helminths are significant constraints to livestock production resulting in substantial economic loss, and some helminth parasites of cattle are of serious public health concern. This study investigated the prevalence of haemoparasites and polyparasitism of intestinal helminths amongst cattle slaughtered in two major abattoirs of Abeokuta metropolis and their implications for public health. Methods: Blood and faecal samples were randomly collected from 256 cattle less than two and greater than two years of age. Blood samples were screened for Packed Cell Volume (PCV) using the haematocrit centrifuge technique and parasites were detected by microscopy using a wet mount, buffy coat and stained thin smear. Helminth eggs and oocysts were detected using centrifugal sedimentation and centrifugal faecal flotation method. Results: Results showed prevalence for Trypanosoma spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp. and Theileria spp. to be 8.3%, 27.34%, 20.7% and 0.39%, respectively. For intestinal parasites, the prevalence for Strongyle eggs is 73.82%, Neoascaris vitulorum 0.8%, Fasciola spp. 10.15%, Moniezia spp. 4.3%, Eimeria oocyst 35.94% and Cryptosporidium oocyst was 1.17%. The total prevalence of coinfection of haemoparasite and intestinal helminths was 42.6%. Breed-specific prevalence for co-infection of haemoparasites and intestinal parasites showed 55.96%, 37.6% and 6.4% for White Fulani, Red Bororo and Sokoto Gudali, respectively which was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). With regards to sex, females had a higher prevalence of 92 (84.4%) of coinfection of haemoparasites and intestinal helminths than males 17 (15.6%), which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of haemoparasites and intestinal parasites in cattle slaughtered in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Therefore, the study recommends strict compliance with meat inspection at abattoirs and the need for immediate operationalisation and implementation of a sustainable Preventive One Health intervention to mitigate against the outbreak of zoonoses in Abeokuta.

This study investigated the prevalence of haemoparasites and polyparasitism of intestinal helminths amongst cattle slaughtered in two major abattoirs of Abeokuta metropolis and their implications for One Health. Blood and faecal samples were collected from 256 cattle of less than 2 and greater than 2 years of age. Blood samples were screened for PCV using haematocrit centrifuge technique and parasites were detected by microscopy using wet mount, buffy coat and stained thin smear. Helminth eggs and oocysts were detected using centrifugal sedimentation and centrifugal faecal flotation method. Results showed prevalence for Trypanosoma spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp. and Theileria spp. to be 8.3%, 27.34%, 20.7% and 0.39% respectively. For intestinal parasites, prevalence for Strongyle eggs was found to be 73.82%, Neoascaris vitulorum 0.8%, Fasciola spp. 10.15%, Moniezia spp. 4.3%, Eimeria oocyst 35.94% and Cryptosporidium oocyst was 1.17%. Total prevalence for coinfection of haemoparasite and intestinal helminths was 42.6%. Breed-specific prevalence for co-infection of haemoparasites and intestinal parasites showed 55.96%, 37.6% and 6.4% for White Fulani, Red Bororo and Sokoto Gudali respectively, which was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). With respect to sex, females had higher prevalence 92 (84.4%) of coinfection of haemoparasites and intestinal helminths than males 17 (15.6%), which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). This study revealed a high prevalence of haemoparasites and intestinal parasites in cattle slaughtered in Abeokuta, Nigeria. The presence of Fasciola at the Lafenwa abattoir which is the major market for beef sourcing in Abeokuta shows that the public is at risk of potential outbreak of fascioliasis. With a clear understanding of the epidemiology of fascioliasis, this study therefore recommends strict compliance of meat inspection at abattoirs and the need for immediate operationalization and implementation of a sustainable Preventive One Health intervention in order to mitigate against potential outbreak in Abeokuta.

Background: The need to assess the gaps in knowledge and perception on bioethics among biomedical researchers has become necessary considering the increasing numbers of researchers and research outputs in sub-Saharan Africa. This study, therefore, investigated the knowledge and perceptions of biomedical researchers in Osun State, southwest Nigeria.Methods: Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires were administered to consenting biomedical researchers during a capacity workshop conducted in November 2020. The questionnaire collected data on the attendee’s demography, knowledge, awareness and perception on bioethics and ethical approvals for research. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS. 20.0 software and expressed as frequencies and percentages. Associations between professional status of participants were performed using chi-square statistics, and confidence interval was set as 95%. However, qualitative data were obtained using open-ended questionnaires and analysed thematically.Results: A total of 153 biomedical researchers across 33 academic and research institutions, comprising 58% males, and 42% females participated in this study. The age of the participants ranged from 20 to 60 years. Majority of the participants (60.8%) hold academic positions and about one-third of the population were graduate students (30.1%). Awareness on bioethics was high (91.5%), and more common in schools (61.4%), with majority of the participants (77.1%) describing it as a field that addresses the social and legal issues arising from medicine and life sciences (p<0.05). However, participants’ perception of the principles of ethics was poor, with about 16% of participants considering none or only part of the principles. Also, about 10% felt they could still obtain ethical permits while research is ongoing or completed, while only 13.7% affirms that all biomedical related researches require ethical approval. There were significant differences in the proportions across the professional status of participants (p<0.05).Conclusion: The study has revealed poor perception among participants and suggests the prioritization of bioethics capacity enhancement workshops to improve knowledge and perceptions of biomedical researchers. In addition, more detailed studies across institutions in Nigeria should be carried out to assess, monitor and reinforce knowledge gained by biomedical researchers.

This study investigated the prevalence of haemoparasites and polyparasitism of intestinal helminths amongst cattle slaughtered in two major abattoirs of Abeokuta metropolis and their implications for One Health. Blood and faecal samples were collected from 256 cattle of less than 2 and greater than 2 years of age. Blood samples were screened for PCV using haematocrit centrifuge technique and parasites were detected by microscopy using wet mount, buffy coat and stained thin smear. Helminth eggs and oocysts were detected using centrifugal sedimentation and centrifugal faecal flotation method. Results showed prevalence for Trypanosoma spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp. and Theileria spp. to be 8.3%, 27.34%, 20.7% and 0.39% respectively. For intestinal parasites, prevalence for Strongyle eggs was found to be 73.82%, Neoascaris vitulorum 0.8%, Fasciola spp. 10.15%, Moniezia spp. 4.3%, Eimeria oocyst 35.94% and Cryptosporidium oocyst was 1.17%. Total prevalence for coinfection of haemoparasite and intestinal helminths was 42.6%. Breed-specific prevalence for co-infection of haemoparasites and intestinal parasites showed 55.96%, 37.6% and 6.4% for White Fulani, Red Bororo and Sokoto Gudali respectively, which was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). With respect to sex, females had higher prevalence 92 (84.4%) of coinfection of haemoparasites and intestinal helminths than males 17 (15.6%), which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). This study revealed a high prevalence of haemoparasites and intestinal parasites in cattle slaughtered in Abeokuta, Nigeria. The presence of Fasciola at the Lafenwa abattoir which is the major market for beef sourcing in Abeokuta shows that the public is at risk of potential outbreak of fascioliasis. With a clear understanding of the epidemiology of fascioliasis, this study therefore recommends strict compliance of meat inspection at abattoirs and the need for immediate operationalization and implementation of a sustainable Preventive One Health intervention in order to mitigate against potential outbreak in Abeokuta.