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Tradition of Raw Milk Consumption and Its Health Impact Among People Living in the Coastal Regions of Bangladesh

S. M. Tanvir Reza
Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barisal, Bangladesh.

Wahedul Karim Ansari
Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barisal, Bangladesh.

Md Robiul Karim
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh

A.K.M. Mostafa Anower
Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barisal, Bangladesh.

Farzana Islam Rume
Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barisal, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Milk is a nutrient-rich liquid food for human and animals. However, owing to its complex biochemical structure and high water activity, it serves as an outstanding microorganism growth medium under suitable conditions. People in Bangladesh's coastal areas have a lifestyle and tradition that includes drinking raw milk for nutrition or as an energy drink, which presents a health risk to them. The present cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the reasons for drinking raw milk in coastal areas, as well as the public health impact of doing so. A total of 100 respondents were interviewed and subsequently, milk samples were collected for quality testing through the methylene blue reduction test (MBRT). Among 100 respondents 70 were consumers and 30 were farmers. Results showed that the samples of farmers were better than that of consumers. The majority of raw milk consumers were male who thought raw milk was more nutritious than heat-treated milk. Furthermore, the majority of them were professionally engaged in farming. Both consumers and farmers had less educational qualifications, managed their cattle in dirty environments, practiced extensive grazing systems on communal grazing areas and around one-fourth of them vaccinated their animals. Furthermore, the findings revealed that 40% of respondents were between the ages of 35 and 45, with 62% reporting no health complications as a result of drinking raw milk and the remainder reporting mainly gastrointestinal problems. According to the findings of this report, the quality of raw cow milk was poor; unhygienic practices and poor animal husbandry at the farm level predisposed farmers, consumers and the public to the risk of contracting milk-borne infections and associated bacterial resistances. It is recommended that veterinarians, extension officers and all stakeholders should play their roles in ensuring a safe quality milk supply to consumers.

Keywords: Raw milk, Coastal region; Health hazard

Location: Bangladesh’s coastal belt, including Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, and Barguna.

Start Date: 00-01-2018

End Date: 00-06-2018

Program Area: Quality and Nutrition

Commodity: Milk

Objectives:

To evaluate the microbial content of raw cow's milk as well as the public health risk associated with conventional raw milk intake in Bangladesh's coastal regions.

Methodology:

The study was conducted between January and June 2018 in different areas of Bangladesh’s coastal belt, including Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, and Barguna. The area is crisscrossed by several rivers and traditional lifestyles. A total of 100 milk samples were obtained from participants who were chosen at random. In the case of consumers, a single sample was obtained, while in the case of framers or milkers, several samples were collected. Immediately after collection in falcon tubes, the samples were undergone Methylene Blue Reductase Test (MBRT) for qualitative analysis. For the collection of relevant data from consumers and farmers/milkers/marketers, two separate questionnaires were developed based on personal, socioeconomic, and output groups. The survey included selected participants who had consumed raw milk at least once in their lives, and there were many farmers who regularly consumed raw milk. The sample included 70 customers and 30 farmers who met the questionnaire criteria. Nine ml of each sample was taken into a falcon tube and one ml of methylene blue solution was added and then the mixture was kept in a test-tube rack to observe the following results:

Reduction within 30 minutes: Very poor quality
Reduction occurring between 30 minutes and 2 hours: Poor quality
Reduction occurring between 2 and 6 hours: Fair quality
Reduction occurring between 6 and 8 hours: Good quality
Not reduced in 8 hours: Excellent quality. Data were computerized using Microsoft Excel and transferred to Software SPSS for statistical analysis.

Source of Information: Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2021, 6 (1), 10-18

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/aajbb.v6i1.54876

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

This study explained why people drink raw milk and how it endangers public health in Bangladesh's coastal regions. This assessment specifically shows that the consumption of raw milk poses a real and unavoidable health threat because of its possible contamination with pathogenic organisms. It is therefore recommended to heat milk before consumption, especially when served to young children, pregnant women, or any person with immunosuppression. It is also identified that the myth behind drinking raw milk is scientifically not true. One way to approach this problem would be to develop educational outreach programmes for dairy producers, as well as for the general public, that focuses on issues related to the consumption of raw milk. The government, private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) must all play a significant role in preventing people from engaging in such practices. In order to drastically reduce the number of raw milk-associated outbreaks per year, the country should not only deem it illegal to sell and consume raw milk but should also ban cow-share programs. Once these measures are put into place and consumers fully realize the benefits and need of a pasteurized milk supply, milk-borne, and thus food-borne outbreaks swiftly decline.

Knowledge Management: Journal