Misconceptions and misuse: assessing horse caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding dexamethasone use in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Overview

• This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of horse caregivers in Ibadan, Nigeria, relating to the use of dexamethasone—a steroid drug used in equine medicine.
• The research identifies significant misconceptions and inappropriate use of dexamethasone, suggesting a need for targeted educational interventions and increased veterinary involvement to improve horse welfare.

Background

• Dexamethasone is widely used in treating horses but can cause serious health issues if used incorrectly.
• There is limited data from Nigeria on how horse caregivers understand and use this drug.
• Understanding caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices is critical to designing effective education and improving animal health outcomes.

Study Design and Methods

• A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ibadan with 100 horse caregivers as participants.
• All participants were male, predominantly aged between 20 and 39 years (66%).
• The study used structured questionnaires administered through face-to-face interviews to assess:
  • Knowledge about dexamethasone’s classification, use, and effects.
  • Attitudes towards following veterinary guidance and perception of the drug.
  • Actual practices related to administering dexamethasone.
• Data analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with a significance threshold at P ≤ 0.05.

Key Findings

• Knowledge:
  • Only 46% of caregivers showed satisfactory knowledge about dexamethasone.
  • 76% incorrectly identified dexamethasone as a painkiller rather than a steroid (only 6% recognized its steroid classification).
  • There were notable gaps concerning the drug’s mechanism of action and side effects.
• Attitudes:
  • 54% of respondents demonstrated satisfactory attitudes, including willingness to follow veterinary advice.
  • Type of work facility impacted attitudes significantly (P=0.036), with commercial stable workers exhibiting poorer attitudes (80% unsatisfactory).
  • Frequent veterinary consultations correlated with better attitudes (P=0.025).
• Practices:
  • 54% of respondents reported satisfactory practices concerning dexamethasone use.
  • Age affected practices significantly (P=0.014), with teenage caregivers showing the worst practices (100% unsatisfactory).
  • Frequency of veterinary contact was strongly associated with practice quality (P=0.007), where daily veterinary interaction led to the best practices.

Interpretation and Implications

• The study reveals widespread misconceptions about dexamethasone among horse caregivers, especially its classification and effects.
• Misclassification as a painkiller suggests potential misuse and risks of adverse effects for horses.
• Attitudinal and practical deficiencies were linked to demographic and workplace factors, indicating that some groups (e.g., teenage caregivers, commercial stable workers) require focused attention.
• Regular veterinary consultation plays a crucial role in improving both attitudes and practices among caregivers.

Recommendations

• Develop and implement educational programs aimed at increasing caregivers’ knowledge of dexamethasone, emphasizing correct drug classification, mechanism of action, and side effects.
• Encourage consistent and frequent interaction between horse caregivers and veterinary professionals to reinforce proper attitudes and use.
• Target interventions specifically towards groups demonstrating the poorest practices, such as teenagers and workers at commercial stables.
• The overall goal is to reduce inappropriate dexamethasone use and improve equine welfare in the region.