English

Abstract

The transmissible nature of certain diseases makes anthropozoonosis an important hazard associated with veterinarians. For this reason, the attitude and compliance of veterinarians in Nigeria to personal protective equipment (PPE) use was studied using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Questionnaires were administered at the 2017 Veterinary continuing education seminar held at Akure (Ondo state), Veterinary clinics, and schools across the six (6) geopolitical zones in Nigeria. A total of 516 Veterinarians with specialties in large animals (40.7%), small animals (36.8%), avian (19.4%), wildlife (1.9%), and general practice (1.2%) participated in the study. More female veterinarians specialized in small animals (15.5%) than avian (3.9%), large (1.9%), and general practice (0.4%). PPE use varied in both clinical and non-clinical procedures and across the specialty. Only 176 (34.1%) veterinarians have attended PPE seminars on training and re-training since they began to practice, organized by the government (23.3%) and non-governmental organizations (76.7%). Attendees sponsors at such seminars were self (38.6%), governmental (44.3%), and non-governmental organizations (17.0%). This study highlighted the potential route of the spread of some zoonotic pathogens to other humans. There is a need to embark on measures that will encourage the use of PPE among veterinarians across specialties in Nigeria. Key words: Nigeria, personal protective equipment, veterinarian, knowledge, attitude.