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Scientific reports2025; 15(1); 21880; doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-07991-7

Horse handlers’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of African horse sickness in South-West, Nigeria.

Abstract: African horse sickness (AHS) is endemic in Nigeria. Despite this, little is known about the perspective of horse handlers in Nigeria regarding AHS. The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) of horse handlers in Southwest Nigeria regarding AHS. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted, which involved convenient sampling of 131 horse handlers in Lagos and Oyo States by February - April 2024. The pre-validated questionnaires were administered via face-to-face interviews, covering demographics, knowledge of AHS transmission, clinical signs, prevention and control measures, attitudes towards severity and preventability, and perceptions of AHS risk and impact. Numeric scoring categorized KAP levels as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression. Result showed majority were early adults aged 20-39 years (63.4%, n = 83), highest level of education was secondary school (47.3%, n = 62), and most had more than 4 years of experience handling horses (83.2%, n = 109). Higher knowledge levels were associated with being from Lagos State (AOR = 851.4, 95% CI = 39.8-18215.2, p = 0.00), having more experience (AOR = 50.0, 95% CI = 2.7-925.9, p = 0.00), and owning larger herds (AOR = 31.6, 95%CI = 3.1-327.5, p = 0.00). Satisfactory attitudes and perceptions towards AHS prevention and control was exhibited by 98.5%. While knowledge gaps exist, the positive attitudes and perceptions present opportunities for enhancing AHS awareness and control strategies among this population of horse handlers. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating targeted interventions to address the identified knowledge gaps and maintain the positive attitudes and perceptions observed in this study.
© 2025. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2025-07-01 PubMed ID: 40596541PubMed Central: PMC12219157DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-07991-7Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article centers on a study conducted to evaluate the extent of knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of horse handlers in Southwest Nigeria towards African horse sickness. The results illustrate that while there are knowledge gaps about the disease amongst handlers, their attitudes towards controlling the disease are primarily positive, presenting an opportunity for interventions to boost disease prevention and management.

Research Methodology and Participants

  • The research utilized a cross-sectional survey study design, conducted from February to April 2024.
  • Participants included 131 horse handlers from Lagos and Oyo States in Southwest Nigeria. The participants were selected through a convenient sampling method.
  • Data were collected using pre-validated questionnaires, administered through face-to-face interviews.
  • The study primarily focused on the participants’ demographics, their knowledge of AHS transmission and symptoms, prevention methods, and control measures. The handlers’ attitudes towards disease severity and preventability, as well as their perception of AHS risk and impact, were examined.

Findings and Analysis

  • The study results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression.
  • The majority of the participants were early adults aged 20-39 years (63.4%). Almost half (47.3%) had their highest level of education at secondary school, and a large percentage of participants (83.2%) had more than 4 years of experience handling horses.
  • Handlers who came from Lagos State, who had a greater amount of experience, or who owned larger herds, were found to have higher knowledge levels about AHS.
  • Despite knowledge gaps about AHS among handlers, 98.5% of them exhibited satisfactory attitudes and perceptions towards AHS prevention and control.

Implications and Future Research

  • The research found an opportunity to increase AHS awareness and control strategies amongst the horse handlers, given their positive attitudes and perceptions towards AHS prevention and control.
  • To improve AHS management, researchers suggest focusing future research on the development and evaluation of targeted interventions to address the identified knowledge gaps and to continue maintaining the positive attitudes and perceptions observed in this study.

Cite This Article

APA
Akinniyi OO, Lawal TR, Rufai N, Jolayemi KO, Amaje J. (2025). Horse handlers’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of African horse sickness in South-West, Nigeria. Sci Rep, 15(1), 21880. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07991-7

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 21880
PII: 21880

Researcher Affiliations

Akinniyi, Olumide Odunayo
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Lawal, Taiwo Rianat
  • Maple Equine Veterinary Services, Lagos, Nigeria.
Rufai, Nurudeen
  • Maple Equine Veterinary Services, Lagos, Nigeria.
Jolayemi, Kelvin Olutimilehin
  • Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Amaje, Joyce
  • Equitation Department, Nigerian Defence Academy, Afaka, Kaduna State, Nigeria. joyceamaje12@gmail.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Nigeria / epidemiology
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Adult
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Female
  • Animals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • African Horse Sickness / epidemiology
  • African Horse Sickness / prevention & control
  • African Horse Sickness / transmission
  • African Horse Sickness / psychology
  • Young Adult
  • Middle Aged
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Adolescent

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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