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Brazilian journal of veterinary medicine2023; 45; e003323; doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm003323

Survey on sanitary practices and knowledge about infectious diseases among equine owners in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Abstract: As the primary decision-maker about the health, nutrition, and well-being of their horses, owners' knowledge of correct management practices and clinical changes can potentially affect the immediate health of their horses, in addition to having an impact on the prevention of disease spread in the herd. The adoption of management practices to prevent the introduction and spread of pathogens depends on various factors, including demographics, awareness of the problem, perceived responsibility, previously held beliefs, and sociocultural norms. This study aimed to evaluate the health management practices and the level of knowledge about infectious diseases of equine owners in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing a questionnaire to horse owners in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The participants included horse owners irrespective of the duration of ownership, experience, or sports practiced. In addition to the hygiene and management of animals, the questionnaire addressed topics related to the facilities where the horses were kept. Three hundred and two horse owners distributed in 60 of the 167 municipalities in the state of Rio Grande do Norte participated in this study. Among the interviewed owners, 63.90% (193/302) answered that they do not quarantine animals introduced into the herd or those visiting the property. Regarding the deworming program, 95.03% (287/302) of the owners regularly dewormed their animals. However, more than half of the participants sought veterinary guidance (54.30%). Investing in educational programs and increasing the awareness of equine owners in the state of Rio Grande do Norte about the main infectious diseases in horses is essential toward improving sanitary management and the general health of animals. Informed owners play an essential role in creating safer environments for their horses, thereby contributing to the sustainability of the equine industry. Como principal tomador de decisão sobre a saúde, nutrição e bem-estar de seus cavalos, o conhecimento dos proprietários sobre práticas corretas de manejo e mudanças clínicas pode potencialmente afetar a saúde imediata de seus cavalos, além de ter um impacto na prevenção de propagação das doenças no rebanho. A adoção de práticas de manejo para prevenir a introdução e disseminação de patógenos depende de uma variedade de fatores, incluindo dados demográficos, consciência do problema, responsabilidade percebida, crenças anteriores e normas socioculturais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as práticas de manejo da saúde e o nível de conhecimento sobre doenças infecciosas de proprietários de equinos no estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil Brasil. As amostras incluíram proprietários de cavalos, independentemente da duração da posse, experiência ou esporte praticado. O questionário abordou temas relacionados às instalações onde os cavalos eram mantidos, além do manejo higiênico-sanitário dos animais. Participaram do estudo 302 proprietários de cavalos distribuídos em 60 dos 167 municípios do estado do Rio Grande do Norte. Dentre os proprietários entrevistados, 63,90% (193/302) responderam que não colocam em quarentena os animais introduzidos no rebanho ou que estão visitando a propriedade. Em relação ao programa de desverminação, 95,03% (287/302) proprietários administravam vermifugação regularmente aos seus animais. No entanto, pouco mais da metade procura orientação veterinária (54,30%). Investir em programas de educação e conscientização dos proprietários de equinos do estado do Rio Grande do Norte sobre as principais doenças infecciosas em equinos é fundamental para melhorar o manejo sanitário e a saúde geral dos animais. Proprietários informados desempenham um papel essencial na criação de ambientes mais seguros para os cavalos, contribuindo para a sustentabilidade da indústria equina como um todo.
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Publication Date: 2023-11-27 PubMed ID: 38090190PubMed Central: PMC10712268DOI: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm003323Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research examined horse owners’ knowledge and practices relating to infectious diseases and hygiene in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The findings suggest that while most owners deworm their horses regularly, the majority do not quarantine newly introduced animals, indicating a need for improved knowledge and disease management practices.

Study Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to understand the level of health management practices and knowledge about infectious diseases among horse owners in the Rio Grande do Norte state in Brazil.
  • The research was conducted by circulating a questionnaire to horse owners. This questionnaire covered multiple facets related to horse keeping facilities, hygiene, and management practices.
  • All horse owners were eligible to participate, regardless of their ownership duration, levels of experience, or the sport they practiced with their horses.
  • The sample consisted of 302 horse owners spread across 60 of the 167 municipalities in the State.

Main Findings

  • Out of all the respondents, around 64% (193 out of 302) stated that they do not quarantine new animals introduced into the herd or visiting their property. This practice can lead to the spread of infectious diseases.
  • On the positive side, around 95% (287 out of 302) of horse owners regularly dewormed their horses, a critical practice to maintain their health.
  • More than half of the participants (54.30%) sought veterinary advice, showing some level of awareness towards professional guidance.

Implications and Recommendations

  • The study highlights the need for advanced educational programs to improve the sanitary management practices of horse owners in Rio Grande do Norte state.
  • Increasing the awareness among horse owners about the major infectious diseases in horses is crucial for enhancing the overall health of the animals.
  • Well-informed owners can contribute to a safer environment for their horses, which is fundamentally important for the sustainability of the equine industry.

Cite This Article

APA
Medeiros PR, Figueiredo LS, de Melo UP, Mariz ALB, de Brito EL, Araújo IRDS, Silva ALDC, Costa MHDS, Ferreira C, Assis DB, da Silva CRM, de Souza AL, de Souza MPDS. (2023). Survey on sanitary practices and knowledge about infectious diseases among equine owners in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Braz J Vet Med, 45, e003323. https://doi.org/10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm003323

Publication

Brazilian journal of veterinary medicine
ISSN: 2527-2179
NlmUniqueID: 9918435088106676
Country: Brazil
Language: English
Volume: 45
Pages: e003323

Researcher Affiliations

Medeiros, Paulo Roberto
  • 1- Undergraduate in Veterinary Medicine, Grupo de estudos e pesquisa em medicina equina (GEPMEq), Centro Universitário Mauricio de Nassau, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Figueiredo, Liliany Silva
  • 1- Undergraduate in Veterinary Medicine, Grupo de estudos e pesquisa em medicina equina (GEPMEq), Centro Universitário Mauricio de Nassau, Natal, RN, Brazil.
de Melo, Ubiratan Pereira
  • 2- Veterinarian, D.Sc. GEPMEq, Centro Universitário Mauricio de Nassau, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Mariz, Amanda Louíse Bittencourt
  • 1- Undergraduate in Veterinary Medicine, Grupo de estudos e pesquisa em medicina equina (GEPMEq), Centro Universitário Mauricio de Nassau, Natal, RN, Brazil.
de Brito, Emilson Lima
  • 1- Undergraduate in Veterinary Medicine, Grupo de estudos e pesquisa em medicina equina (GEPMEq), Centro Universitário Mauricio de Nassau, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Araújo, Ingrid Raquel Dos Santos
  • 1- Undergraduate in Veterinary Medicine, Grupo de estudos e pesquisa em medicina equina (GEPMEq), Centro Universitário Mauricio de Nassau, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Silva, Allyson Lincoln Da Costa
  • 1- Undergraduate in Veterinary Medicine, Grupo de estudos e pesquisa em medicina equina (GEPMEq), Centro Universitário Mauricio de Nassau, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Costa, Mariana Henrique da Silveira
  • 1- Undergraduate in Veterinary Medicine, Grupo de estudos e pesquisa em medicina equina (GEPMEq), Centro Universitário Mauricio de Nassau, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Ferreira, Cintia
  • 2- Veterinarian, D.Sc. GEPMEq, Centro Universitário Mauricio de Nassau, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Assis, Daniel Barbosa
  • 1- Undergraduate in Veterinary Medicine, Grupo de estudos e pesquisa em medicina equina (GEPMEq), Centro Universitário Mauricio de Nassau, Natal, RN, Brazil.
da Silva, Camilla Raylly Miguel
  • 1- Undergraduate in Veterinary Medicine, Grupo de estudos e pesquisa em medicina equina (GEPMEq), Centro Universitário Mauricio de Nassau, Natal, RN, Brazil.
de Souza, Aldemir Lopes
  • 1- Undergraduate in Veterinary Medicine, Grupo de estudos e pesquisa em medicina equina (GEPMEq), Centro Universitário Mauricio de Nassau, Natal, RN, Brazil.
de Souza, Magna Pereira da Silva
  • 1- Undergraduate in Veterinary Medicine, Grupo de estudos e pesquisa em medicina equina (GEPMEq), Centro Universitário Mauricio de Nassau, Natal, RN, Brazil.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Conflict of interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the design, execution, or dissemination of the results of this study.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Araújo IRDS, de Brito EL, de Melo UP, Mariz ALB, Cavalheiro MT, Ferreira C, de Morais LF, de Souza RF. Knowledge levels regarding antibiotics and their use among horse owners in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Braz J Vet Med 2025;47:e000425.
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  2. Melo UP, Ferreira C, Barreto SWM. Pulmonary aspergillosis in a horse: a case report. Braz J Vet Med 2024;46:e004723.
    doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm004723pubmed: 38282831google scholar: lookup
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