Study design

In September 2017, students newly enrolled in RUSVM veterinary and veterinary preparatory programmes were asked to participate in a study presented as focusing on an infectious agent in dogs. Students were interviewed during their first weeks on St Kitts. The name of the pathogen was not mentioned to prevent bias in the knowledge assessment. After signing the consent form, participants completed a standardised questionnaire. One year later (September 2018), the same questionnaire was asked to the same participants. This second survey occurred after they had completed a course in parasitology and before completing courses in pharmacology and small animal medicine. The participants' overall Grade Point Average (GPA) over the three semesters (Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Summer 2018) was retrieved from the registrar's office. The study was approved by the RUSVM Institutional Review Board (Protocol #17‐10‐XP).