Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Of First Aid For Acetaminophen Toxicity Among Small Animal Owners In Johor, Malaysia

An abstract of the research paper presented to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Malaysia Kelantan, in partial requirement of the course DVT 55204 – Research Project. This study examines the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of small animal owners in Johor, Malaysia, concerning first aid for acetaminophen toxicity in pets. Acetaminophen toxicity is a critical health concern for small animals such as cats and dogs, often resulting in severe complications or fatalities if not managed promptly. The study aims to evaluate the knowledge, awareness and practice level among small animal owners and explore the association between sociodemographic factors, such as employment, salary, age, sex, race, and KAP levels. Data were collected from small animal owners through structured surveys, and Chi-Square tests were used to analyse the relationships between variables. The findings reveal that employment status significantly influences the KAP, while salary significantly affects attitudes but not knowledge or practices. Other factors, including age, sex, and race, demonstrated no correlation across the KAP factors. These results highlight the importance of employment-focused interventions and public education to enhance first-aid practice for acetaminophen toxicity. This study provides valuable insights for developing targeted awareness campaigns, improving emergency responses, and informing policy to safeguard pet health in Malaysia.
Keywords: Acetaminophen Toxicity, First Aid, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, Small Animal Owners, Johor, Malaysia