Knowledge and attitude towards Zoonoses among workers in selected zoological gardens in Nigeria

Abstract

An exploratory questionnaire-based survey of zoological workers (n=152) was carried out from April  2016 to March 2017 in Ibadan (Oyo State), Ilorin (Kwara State) and Jos (Plateau State), Nigeria to  assess local knowledge and attitude towards zoonoses among zoological workers. A combination of  closed and open-ended questions, focused group discussions and ranking techniques were employed  to gather information on perceptions concerning the type of zoonotic diseases prevalent in the study  area, level of risk, mode of transmission and methods of preventing disease transmission from animals  to humans. The results revealed that 44.1% of the respondents had good level of awareness about  zoonoses. Rabies (99%), tuberculosis (41%), bird flu (47%) and Ebola virus disease (EVD) (44%)  were considered the four most common zoonotic diseases in the study area. Among the respondents,  42.1% and 57.2% perceived zoonoses are transmitted by direct contact and attending to sick animals  respectively. Constant hand washing was indicated by 45.4% of the respondents as the mode of  prevention of zoonoses in the study area. It is necessary that the Government provide the vaccination facility to all the zoological workers against the relevant zoonotic diseases. The level of awareness about the risks associated is needed to improve through proper education, training, and establishment of written infection control policies in the various zoological gardens in the country.