Survey of knowledge and opinion among thai veterinarians on nicotine toxicity and second-hand smoke effects on pets' health

Abstract

There may be lack of knowledge in nicotine toxicity and second-hand smoke (SHS) effects, as well as the opinion of pets' care among Thai veterinarians (vets). To examine knowledge, opinion of nicotine toxicity and SHS effects on dogs and cats' health in Thai vets. A cross-sectional survey was applied. Data were collected using the self-reported questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha for the knowledge and opinion questionnaire was 0.90 and 0.94, respectively. After MUCIRB approval, systematic sampling was applied to 371 Thai vets. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Thai vets were 5.7 percents current smokers. The majority of them had moderate knowledge (mean = 5.51 ± 4.18) on nicotine toxicity and SHS effects on pets' health. More than half of them agreed that nicotine and SHS may be harmful to pets (mean = 53.41 ± 37.55), vets should act as a smoke-free role model (mean = 65.16 ± 40.11), and vets should protect pets from nicotine toxicity and SHS (mean = 70.25 ± 39.40) vets should be educated on the effects of nicotine and SHS exposure, and the guidelines for treating nicotine toxicity should be developed.