Assessment of Rabies Risk Communication Practices Among Veterinary Officers in Plateau State

Effective rabies prevention depends not only on animal vaccination but also on consistent risk communication between veterinary professionals and at-risk communities, including livestock owners, pet owners, and school children in peri-urban areas. This study assesses the risk communication practices of veterinary officers regarding rabies prevention in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey will recruit 120 veterinary officers, animal health workers, and livestock production officers deployed across 17 local government areas of Plateau State. A structured questionnaire will evaluate knowledge of rabies transmission and post-exposure prophylaxis, frequency and methods of community sensitisation activities, interprofessional collaboration with human health workers, and availability of communication materials. Paired assessment of community awareness levels in areas served by surveyed officers will provide triangulated data on communication effectiveness. Published evaluations from northern Nigerian states indicate that formal veterinary risk communication training is largely absent from pre-service curricula and in-service schedules. Findings will characterise the current state of veterinary-led rabies risk communication in Plateau State and provide recommendations for the Plateau State Ministry of Agriculture to institutionalise structured One Health risk communication programmes within veterinary extension services. Keywords: rabies, risk communication, veterinary officers, Plateau State, One Health