Knowledge, risk perception and prevention preparedness towards COVID-19 among a cross-section of animal health professionals in Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction the on-going COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has imposed serious public health and economic threats on the entire world population. The SARS-CoV-2 has been identified from both domestic and wild animals constituting a threat to humans since most apparently healthy animals may potentially infect and cause the disease in humans, especially Animal Health Professionals (AHPs) who come directly in contact with animals. These professionals such as veterinarians play important roles among the One Health team in controlling the pandemic. This survey was conducted to assess the knowledge, risk perception, and prevention behaviors of AHPs in Nigeria who are important personnel in the control of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and infectious diseases. Methods an online-based epidemiological cross-sectional pre-tested questionnaire survey was carried out from April to May 2020. A total of 427 AHPs joined this survey. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression model were used to analyze the data collected. Results the respondents have a mean knowledge score of 7.34 ± 2.05 (from a total possible score of 11) with the majority (66.7%, n = 285) having satisfactory knowledge scores on COVID-19. A high proportion (240/353) of respondents reported bats to be the major wildlife incriminated in the transmission of the COVID-19 virus though other animals reported were tiger, monkey, lion, and pangolin. At least, a quarter 131 (30.7%) of respondents perceived that visiting live animal markets is of high zoonotic risk to the spread of coronavirus. Most respondents reported hands washing and sanitizing after handling animals, and using personal protective equipment when handling suspected animals. At p<0.05; respondents' age, marital status, professional status, and geopolitical zone were significantly linked with satisfactory knowledge. Veterinarians (OR=0.40; 95%CI: 0.22–0.75) were thrice less likely to possess unsatisfactory knowledge of COVID-19 than laboratory technologists. Conclusion participants in this survey have a satisfactory level of COVID-19 knowledge and good mitigation measures instituted while working at their stations. However, AHPs need more enlightenment about the various zoonotic risk pathway contributing to the transmission of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts Food Security and Causes Psychosocial Stress in Nigeria

“…The FSHI score ranged from 24 to 293 (maximum obtainable score) with a mean/standard deviation of 133.88±55.05. This score was further categorized as binary (satisfactory and unsatisfactory experience) based on the mean value as the cut-off point [24][25][26][27]. Respondents with scores less and greater than the cut-off point were adjudged to have satisfactory and unsatisfactory experience, respectively, on food security due to COVID-19 impact.…”

Knowledge and self-reported food safety practices among meat consumers in Ilorin, Nigeria

“…Two outcome variables were developed to determine satisfactory knowledge and practices on meat safety of the respondents ( Table 1 ). First, the knowledge and practice scores were determined through a previously established numeric scoring system [ 14 , 15 , [35] , [36] , [37] ] from the respondents' correct responses to knowledge and practices questions. Each correct response for the questions on knowledge was scored as “1” and the incorrect ones as “0”.…”

“…These outcome variables were further categorized into binary variables based on a cut-off point (mean + 1 SD of the scores) of the obtainable scores of the respondents. Knowledge and practices scores greater and lower than the cut-off points were considered satisfactory (acceptable/appropriate) and unsatisfactory, respectively [ 14 , 15 , [35] , [36] , [37] ]. The Chi-square test (and Fisher's exact test for 2 × 2 variables) was used to determine the association between the socioeconomic characteristics and the computed outcome variables.…”

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Risk Perception of Broiler Grow-Out Farmers on Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Oyo State, Nigeria

“…(2) attitudes to the practice of antimicrobial usage; (3) risk perception of AMR. A numeric scoring system [20][21][22][23] was computed from a five-point Likert scale [24] to assess these outcome variables. A reverse scoring pattern was used where strongly disagree was the highest correct answer, scored as five.…”