Status of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in Veterinary Research Facilities in Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundThis study determined current status of laboratory biosafety in Nigerian veterinary research facilities.MethodsA questionnaire was developed to obtain information from researchers across Nigeria from July 2014 to July 2015. Information regarding demographics, knowledge of laboratory biosafety, availability and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), any priority pathogens researched, attitude on and use of standard laboratory practices, and biosafety awareness was obtained using a numeric scoring system. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsA total of 74 participants from 19 facilities completed the questionnaire. General knowledge scores ranged from 3 to 28 (out of 28 possible points), with 94.6% of respondents receiving low scores (scores < mean + 1 standard deviation). Very few (17.6%) reported availability or use PPE. Many participants (63.5%) reported no access to biosafety level (BSL)-1–3 facilities. None reported availability of a BSL-4 facility. Knowledge scores pertaining to biosafety management practices ranged from 0 to 14 (out of 14 possible points) with 47.3% of respondents receiving good scores (scores > mean + 1 standard deviation). Only 16.2% of respondents (from four facilities) reported having biosafety officers. Rabies virus was the most researched pathogen (31.1% of respondents). The majority (71.6%) were unaware of laws guiding biosafety. Researchers [odds ratio (OR) = 18.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.63, 198.5; p = 0.023], especially in BSL-2 (OR = 258.5; 95% CI: 12.71, 5256; p < 0.001) facility of research institute (OR = 25.0; 95% CI: 5.18, 120.6; p < 0.001), are more likely to have adequate access to and properly utilize biosafety devices and PPE.ConclusionsCurrent knowledge of laboratory biosafety is limited except among a few researchers.

Knowledge of Antimicrobial Resistance among Veterinary Students and Their Personal Antibiotic Use Practices: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

“…A dependent variable was created from the thematic questions below, which were used to determine the knowledge levels of Nigerian undergraduate DVM students on antibiotic use and AMR; related questions (variables) were categorized together into various outcomes: (1) Antimicrobial resistance in humans; (2) antimicrobial resistance in animals; (3) contributory factors to antimicrobial resistance; and (4) overall knowledge on antimicrobial resistance. A numeric scoring system was used [32] to assess these outcome variables: To compute these outcome variables, respondents' responses to questions asked were scored as "correct" or "incorrect" and transformed as "1" or "0", respectively. The correct responses to questions in each category were added to give the general knowledge score for each of the outcome variables.…”

Assessment of the Biorisk Status of Veterinary Laboratories in Southwest Nigeria: Application of the Food and Agriculture Organization Laboratory Mapping Tool-Safety Module

“…3 An earlier study conducted in Nigeria raised concern about the levels of negligence in laboratory biosafety and biosecurity at VL facilities in the country. 6 Laboratories visited in this study lack BSL facilities and functional BSCs. The majority of the laboratories provide teaching, research, diagnostic, and healthcare services (public health, clinical, or hospital based) and supposedly should be designed as BSL-2 or above.…”

“…5 Recently, emerging and reemerging infectious and zoonotic diseases are increasing threats, particularly in Africa, including those with bioterrorism potential. 6,7 Concerns surrounding the deliberate or accidental release of potentially pathogenic microorganisms have driven the debate regarding the restriction of access to high-consequence pathogens and improving biosecurity measures, especially for those pathogens that have the potential to spread rapidly in the community. 8 As emerging and recurring global health threats expand their frontiers, in the short and longer terms, sustainable strategic approaches are needed to mitigate their impacts.…”

“…10,11 For instance, in Nigeria, only 1 study assessed the level of knowledge of laboratory biosafety at veterinary research facilities. 6 Elsewhere, several studies have focused on laboratory biosafety and biosecurity as they relate to laboratory scientists, 12,13 clinical microbiology laboratories, 14,15 medical diagnostic laboratories, 10,16 and pharmaceutical and biotechnology laboratories 10 that work with human pathogens, but little on animal biosafety. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in Nigeria to apply the FAO's LMT-S for preliminary VL assessments to determine current biosafety and biosecurity status.…”

Laboratory Focus on Improving the Culture of Biosafety: Statewide Risk Assessment of Clinical Laboratories That Process Specimens for Microbiologic Analysis

“…Finally, intrinsic knowledge and educational efforts can contribute to a general culture of laboratory biosafety. Odetokun et al (31) reported that 5.4% of participants in a survey of Nigeria veterinary laboratories demonstrated a satisfactory knowledge of laboratory biosafety and security, while 94.6% demonstrated poor knowledge. Among the researchers, 25.7% and 74.3% were documented to have high and low levels of awareness about biosafety, respectively.…”