Level of Awareness of Pet Owners on Pet-Acquired Infections: A Benchmark for Information Dissemination

Authors

  • Aldrin Tumamao

Keywords:

zoonotic, pet-acquired infections, allied health science students

Abstract

Introduction

Zoonotic diseases are very common nowadays. It is estimated that more than 6 out of every 10 infectious diseases in humans are acquired from animals. Because of the increasing number of Filipinos nowadays have pets, it is important to be aware of the different zoonotic infections and ways on how to prevent them from acquiring them. The study determined the level of awareness of pet owners on pet-acquired infections and developed an Information education and communication (IEC) material on pet-acquired infections to prevent acquisition by pet-owners and the community.

 

Methods

The respondents of the study were fifty (50) allied health science students enrolled at Northwestern University, 32 females and 18 males. The majority of the respondents belong to the age group 19-20 years old and most of them owned dogs as pets. The descriptive research design was used in the study using a survey questionnaire. Frequency and percentage were used to present the profile of the respondents and weighted mean to present their level of awareness on pet-acquired infections.

 

Results

Findings of the study showed that the respondents are slightly aware of Dipylidiasis, Crytosporodiosis and Lymphocytic choriomeningitis as pet-acquired infections but highly aware of rabies. Dipylidiasis, Crytosporodiosis, and Lymphocytic choriomeningitis are only slightly known by the respondents because these infections are not very common in the Philippines and occur only for about 0.7-1.4% of the world population; Highly aware on bites and scratches as the mode of transmission, but as mentioned by Global Health of Parasitic Diseases of the Center for Disease Control, food can be the common source for some zoonotic infections when animals such as dogs and cats are infected with parasites; Moderately aware on the signs and symptoms of pet-acquired infections that include anal itching, skin itching, diarrhea and fever; and highly aware on the proper disposal of animal wastes and regular medical check-up of pets as preventive measures.

 

Discussions

The study concluded that the respondents were highly aware only on rabies infection, highly aware of bites and scratches as a mode of transmission and highly aware of proper disposal of animal wastes and regular medical check-ups of pets as preventive measures. There is a need to enhance the awareness of pet owners and the community regarding pet-acquired infections using the developed information education material. The result of the study can be used also by the Local Government Units as a basis in creating policies and guidelines in the ownership of pets to prevent pet-acquired infections.

Published

2019-12-18