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Nyokabi NS, Phelan L, Lindahl JF, Berg S, Muunda E, Mihret A, Wood JLN, Moore HL. Exploring veterinary students' awareness and perception of zoonoses risks, infection control practices, and biosecurity measures in Ethiopia. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1385849. [PMID: 39044741 PMCID: PMC11263103 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1385849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Universities and colleges are often regarded as playing a key role in educating veterinarians and animal health workers who advise farmers on herd health and animal husbandry. However, to date, studies examining veterinary students' knowledge of zoonotic diseases of public health importance and the source of this knowledge, as well as their preparedness to respond to these diseases, have focused on the Global North rather than the Global South. This study takes Ethiopia as a case study in exploring veterinary medicine students' knowledge of zoonosis risks, infection control practices and biosecurity measures, recognizing that it is imperative to reconcile national-level veterinary education curricula with emerging global trends, such as One Health-focused training. This training advocates for a collaborative, interdisciplinary response at local, national, and international levels to the adverse impact of zoonotic diseases on animal health and productivity, and human and environmental health. Data for this study were collected through a pre-tested online questionnaire administered to 154 veterinary students from several universities in Ethiopia. The findings of this study suggest veterinary students were aware of the public health risks posed by zoonoses and the important role that collaboration between the disciplines of human and animal health can play in addressing zoonoses and emerging health risks. However, students demonstrated poor knowledge of the need to adopt infection control measures (ICPs) and biosecurity measures to reduce occupational risks and prevent within and between herd transmission of infection. Moreover, students' vaccination rates against zoonotic diseases associated with occupational risks, such as rabies, were low. The results of this study suggest that there are currently gaps in Ethiopia's veterinary curriculum and that enhancing veterinary students' access to information regarding infection control practices and biosecurity measures could contribute to reducing their future occupational exposure to zoonoses. This study highlights the policy implications of the current veterinary medicine curriculum in Ethiopia and the scope for aligning the curriculum with important global initiatives, such as One Health-focused training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ndungu S. Nyokabi
- Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lisette Phelan
- School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Environmental Economics and Natural Resources Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Johanna F Lindahl
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stefan Berg
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Emmanuel Muunda
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Adane Mihret
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - James L. N. Wood
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Henrietta L. Moore
- Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Adebowale OO, Jimoh AB, Adebayo OO, Alamu AA, Adeleye AI, Fasanmi OG, Olasoju M, Olagunju PO, Fasina FO. Evaluation of antimicrobial usage in companion animals at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18195. [PMID: 37875528 PMCID: PMC10598005 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44485-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated various qualitative and quantitative indices of antimicrobial use (AMU) in companion animals (CAs) at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH-A) and its annex (VTH- B) from 2019 to 2021. For 694 documented animals, antimicrobial administrations (AADs) were 5, 278 times, of which 98.8% (5217) and 1.2% (61) were in dogs and cats respectively. At the VTH- A, oxytetracycline (1185 times, 22.5%) was mostly administered in dogs and metronidazole (26 times, 0.5%) in cats. Similarly, at VTH- B, oxytetracycline was administered 895 times (17.0%) in dogs while amoxicillin was given 7 times (0.1%) in cats. The prescription diversity (PD) was estimated at 0.73 and 0.82 in VTH-A and VTH-B respectively. The quantity of antimicrobials (AMs) used was 10.1 kg (A, 6.2 kg and B, 3.9 kg). Oxytetracycline administrations and quantity of metronidazole (P < 0.0001) were higher than other Active Ingredients (AIs). Furthermore, 16.5% of AIs were classified as Critically Important Antibiotics (CIA) with the highest priority, while enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin fell under the World Health Organisation (WHO) Watch group. The In-Depth Interview (IDI) indicated that the high frequency of oxytetracycline administrations was linked with being the first choice for blood parasite treatment by the clinicians at the hospital. The quantity of metronidazole used was perceived to be higher due to the clinicians' preference for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis, its wider dose range, and the frequency of administration (bi-daily). The study provides baseline data on AMU indices in CAs, for the development of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and communication training, and policy modifications to enhance antimicrobial therapy optimization in tertiary veterinary hospital care in Nigeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- O O Adebowale
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
| | - A B Jimoh
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - O O Adebayo
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - A A Alamu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - A I Adeleye
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - O G Fasanmi
- Department of Veterinary Laboratory Technology, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - M Olasoju
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - P O Olagunju
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - F O Fasina
- ECTAD, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Grünwald JA, Licka TF. Health Promotion for Students of Veterinary Medicine: A Preliminary Study on Active Microbreaks and Ergonomics Education. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101641. [PMID: 37238071 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Occupational hazards, such as psychosocial stressors, physical injuries from human-animal interactions, and physically demanding work tasks, are common in the veterinary profession, and musculoskeletal discomfort and pain (MDP) may already be present in veterinary undergraduates. This preliminary study investigates the effects of very short, active interventions, called microbreaks, in 36 veterinary students. At the start, participants had a high prevalence of MDP, especially in the neck and lower back. Within a 12-week observational period, 6 weeks of active intervention comprised teaching microbreaks (nine strengthening, stretching, and relaxation exercises; 30-90 s each) and a weekly veterinary-specific ergonomics education and discussion. After the intervention, participants reported fewer painful body regions and an increase in their self-efficacy in potentially painful, risky, or dangerous human-animal interactions. After the 12-week observational period, participants had increased self-efficacy in the maintenance of physical health and self-protection but decreased self-efficacy in healing injuries after veterinary human-animal interactions. Participants felt to have increased and decreased control over dangerous situations with dogs and horses, respectively, although self-efficacy in handling horses increased. Participants integrated microbreaks well into their undergraduate activities and rated the topic relevant to their (later) profession. This should encourage the inclusion of similar programs in undergraduate curricula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Andrea Grünwald
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresia Franziska Licka
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, UK
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Fesseha H, Kefelegn T, Mathewos M. Animal care professionals' practice towards zoonotic disease management and infection control practice in selected districts of Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09485. [PMID: 35637673 PMCID: PMC9142852 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Veterinary practices or activities expose professionals to occupational hazards, including infection with zoonotic diseases, during contact with animals. To assess animal care professionals' practice towards zoonotic disease management and infection control practices (ICPs) in selected areas of the Wolaita zone, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire survey. A total of 287 animal care professionals were registered by the Wolaita zone livestock and fishery office and working in nine different districts of the Wolaita zone. Of these, 135 animal care professionals working across nine different districts of the Wolaita zone were interviewed in the current study. The survey showed that about 55% (74/135) of respondents were animal health assistants, and about 84% (114/135) of the professionals were males. In terms of utilization of ICP, about 72% of professionals routinely wash their hands before eating and drinking in their workplace. However, approximately 7% of professionals sometimes eat or drink at the workplace. Additionally, almost 32% of the professionals always wash their hands between patient contacts. In the survey, approximately 49% of veterinarians said they sterilized and reused disposable needles. When dealing with an animal suspected of carrying a zoonotic infection, nearly 25% of experts isolate or quarantine diseased animals, and only about 25% of the experts remove their personal protective equipment (PPE) before interacting with other animals. Approximately 62% of responders said they used outwear (PPE) when carrying out surgery and 28% when performing a necropsy. Nearly 39% of veterinarians reported using gloves and gowns when assisting with parturition or handling conception products, and around 36% of practitioners utilized proper PPE when handling blood samples. Our findings show that the veterinary community in the Wolaita Zone's selected sites needs to be educated about ICPs regularly. A better understanding of the risk of zoonotic disease exposure, as well as alternatives for reducing this risk and liability problems, may encourage the use of infection control measures. Successful partnerships across multiple professional sectors should use a One Health approach that includes stakeholders from the human, animal, and environmental categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haben Fesseha
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia
| | - Tasew Kefelegn
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia
| | - Mesfin Mathewos
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia
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Adebowale OO, Adenubi OT, Adesokan HK, Oloye AA, Bankole NO, Fadipe OE, Ayo-Ajayi PO, Akinloye AK. SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 pandemic) in Nigeria: Multi-institutional survey of knowledge, practices and perception amongst undergraduate veterinary medical students. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248189. [PMID: 33720966 PMCID: PMC7959340 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic with an increasing public health concern. Due to the non-availability of a vaccine against the disease, non-pharmaceutical interventions constitute major preventive and control measures. However, inadequate knowledge about the disease and poor perception might limit compliance. This study examined COVID-19-related knowledge, practices, perceptions and associated factors amongst undergraduate veterinary medical students in Nigeria. A cross-sectional web survey was employed to collect data from 437 consenting respondents using pre-tested self-administered questionnaire (August 2020). Demographic factors associated with the knowledge and adoption of recommended preventive practices towards COVID-19 were explored using multivariate logistic regression at P ≤ 0.05. The respondents' mean knowledge and practice scores were 22.7 (SD ± 3.0) and 24.1 (SD ± 2.9), respectively with overall 63.4% and 88.8% displaying good knowledge and satisfactory practice levels. However, relatively lower proportions showed adherence to avoid touching face or nose (19.5%), face mask-wearing (58.1%), and social distancing (57.4%). Being in the 6th year of study (OR = 3.18, 95%CI: 1.62-6.26, P = 0.001) and female (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.11-4.41, P = 0.024) were significant positive predictors of good knowledge and satisfactory practices, respectively. While only 30% of the respondents perceived the pandemic as a scam or a disease of the elites (24.0%), the respondents were worried about their academics being affected negatively (55.6%). Veterinary Medical Students in Nigeria had good knowledge and satisfactory preventive practices towards COVID-19; albeit with essential gaps in the key non-pharmaceutical preventive measures recommended by the WHO. Therefore, there is a need to step up enlightenment and targeted campaigns about COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwawemimo Oluseun Adebowale
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Olubukola Tolulope Adenubi
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Hezekiah Kehinde Adesokan
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Abimbola Adetokunbo Oloye
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Noah Olumide Bankole
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Adebayo Koyuum Akinloye
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
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Adebowale O, Fasanmi OG, Awosile B, Afolabi M, Fasina FO. Systematic review and meta-analysis of veterinary-related occupational exposures to hazards. OPEN VETERINARY SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/ovs-2020-0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Understanding hazards within the veterinary profession is critical for developing strategies to ensure the health and safety of personnel in the work environment. This study was conducted to systematically review and synthesize data on reported risks within veterinary workplaces. A systematic review of published data on occupational hazards and associated risk factors were searched within three database platforms namely PubMed, Ebscohost, and Google scholar. To determine the proportion estimates of hazards and pooled odds ratio, two random-effects meta-analysis were performed. For the biological, chemical and physical hazards, the pooled proportion estimates were 17% (95% CI: 15.0-19.0, p < 0.001), 7.0% (95% CI: 6.0-9.0%, p < 0.001) and 65.0% (95% CI: 39.0-91.0%, p < 0.001) respectively. A pooled odds ratio indicated the risk of exposures to physical (OR=1.012, 95% CI: 1.008-1.017, p < 0.001) and biological hazards (OR=2.07, 95% CI: 1.70-2.52, p <0.001) increased when working or in contact with animals. The review has provided a better understanding of occupational health and safety status of veterinarians and gaps within the developing countries. This evidence calls for policy formulation and implementation to reduce the risks of exposures to all forms of occupational-related hazards in veterinary workplaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwawemimo Adebowale
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine , Federal University of Agriculture , Alabata, Abeokuta, Ogun State , Nigeria
| | - Olubunmi Gabriel Fasanmi
- Department of Veterinary Laboratory Technology , Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology , Oyo State , Nigeria
| | - Babafela Awosile
- Department of Health Information and Performances , Health PEI Charlottetown , PE Canada
| | - Monsurat Afolabi
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine , Federal University of Agriculture , Alabata, Abeokuta, Ogun State , Nigeria
| | - Folorunso Oludayo Fasina
- ECTAD, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) , Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases , University of Pretoria , Pretoria , South Africa
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