Olakojo Tolulope Ademola, Akinniyi Olumide Odunayo, Dansu Emmanuel Oluwaseun, Adeoye Abayomi Onaolapo, Adah Osereime, Nwufoh Onyeka Chidiebele, Adeoye Bisi Olajumoke, Oridupa Olayinka Ayotunde, Saba Adebowale Bernard
Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, PO Box 200005, Nigeria.
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, PO Box 200005, Nigeria.
J Equine Sci. 2025;36(3):103-113. doi: 10.1294/jes.36.103. Epub 2025 Sep 17.
Dexamethasone is a common drug used in equine medicine, but when administered inappropriately, it can lead to serious health complications. There is a dearth of data on horse caregivers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding dexamethasone use in Nigeria. Understanding current dexamethasone usage patterns is necessary for developing educational interventions which will then improve equine welfare. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of horse caregivers regarding dexamethasone use in Ibadan, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst a total of 100 horse caregivers in Ibadan using a structured questionnaire. Face-to-face interviews were conducted so as to assess KAP regarding dexamethasone use. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were conducted with P≤0.05 considered significant. All respondents were male, and 66% of them were aged 20-39 years. Only 46% of them demonstrated satisfactory knowledge, with 76% of them wrongly identifying dexamethasone as a painkiller rather than a steroid (6%). Attitudes (caregivers' perceptions and willingness to follow veterinary guidance) and practices were satisfactory in 54% of respondents. Facility type significantly influenced attitudes (P=0.036), with commercial stable workers showing poorer attitudes (80% unsatisfactory). Age significantly affected practices (P=0.014), with teenagers demonstrating the worst practices (100% unsatisfactory). Frequency of veterinary consultation significantly affected both attitudes (P=0.025) and practices (P=0.007), with daily interaction showing the best outcomes. Knowledge gaps as well as inappropriate practices regarding dexamethasone use exist among horse caregivers in Ibadan, particularly concerning its classification, mechanism of action, and side effects. We recommend the implementation of educational programmes and encouragement of regular veterinary consultation amongst caregivers.
地塞米松是马医学中常用的药物，但使用不当会导致严重的健康并发症。在尼日利亚，关于马匹护理人员对地塞米松使用的知识、态度和做法的数据匮乏。了解当前地塞米松的使用模式对于制定教育干预措施以改善马匹福利是必要的。本研究旨在评估尼日利亚伊巴丹马匹护理人员对地塞米松使用的知识、态度和做法（KAP）。采用结构化问卷对伊巴丹总共100名马匹护理人员进行了横断面研究。进行面对面访谈以评估对地塞米松使用的KAP。进行了描述性统计和卡方检验，P≤0.05被认为具有统计学意义。所有受访者均为男性，其中66%年龄在20 - 39岁之间。只有46%的人表现出令人满意的知识，其中76%的人错误地将地塞米松识别为止痛药而非类固醇（6%）。54%的受访者态度（护理人员对遵循兽医指导的认知和意愿）和做法令人满意。设施类型对地塞米松态度有显著影响（P = 0.036），商业马厩工作人员的态度较差（80%不满意）。年龄对做法有显著影响（P = 0.014），青少年的做法最差（100%不满意）。兽医咨询频率对态度（P = 0.025）和做法（P = 0.007）均有显著影响，每天互动的效果最佳。伊巴丹的马匹护理人员在地塞米松使用方面存在知识差距以及不当做法，特别是在其分类、作用机制和副作用方面。我们建议实施教育计划，并鼓励护理人员定期进行兽医咨询。
