Risk of zoonotic diseases among veterinary students in Nigeria: a multi-institutional national cross-sectional survey

Veterinary students are frontline professionals undergoing professional training and are at a high risk of contracting zoonotic diseases. However, little is known about their preparedness to address zoonotic risks in their future careers. Hence, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of veterinary students in Nigeria regarding the risk of zoonotic diseases. A multi-institutional national cross-sectional survey was conducted among veterinary students enrolled from the second to sixth years of 12 veterinary schools. A four-section structured questionnaire was administered capturing socio-demographic information, knowledge of zoonotic diseases, attitudes toward their prevention and control, and self-reported practices in zoonotic disease risk management. A total of 637 students responded to the survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression. Overall, 45.2% of the veterinary students demonstrated good knowledge of zoonotic diseases, such as rabies (95.6%), anthrax (93.1%), and Ebola (92.6%). The students’ attitudes towards zoonotic disease prevention were generally positive, with 53.8% expressing strong concern about zoonotic disease transmission and confidence in managing zoonoses in future practice. Only 45.5% of students exhibited good preventive practices. The factors significantly influencing students' KAP included the year of study, formal zoonosis training, and prior animal handling experience. This study identified critical gaps in zoonotic disease knowledge and prevention practices among Nigerian veterinary students. Enhancing early education on zoonoses, increasing access to personal protective equipment, promoting vaccination programs, and integrating One Health approaches into the veterinary curriculum are essential steps for improving zoonotic disease preparedness in Nigeria’s future veterinary workforce.