P-08 Assessment of pet ownership and its impact on human health in Grenada

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among Grenadian citizens aged 40–65 years recruited from community health centers, markets, and church-based events using convenience and snowball sampling. Data were collected from 300 individuals, comprising 240 pet owners and 60 non-pet owners. Surveys captured demographic, lifestyle, and health information; physical measurements included height, weight, waist and hip circumference, and supra-iliac fat deposits for calculation of body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Descriptive statistics summarized data, and group comparisons were analyzed using Student’s two-tailed t-tests.

Results: Pet owners were predominantly female (59%) compared to non-pet owners (33%). The prevalence of overweight or obese individuals was lower amongst pet owners (38%, mean BMI 24.5 ± 3.8) than non-pet owners (66%, mean BMI 27.6 ± 4.2), though not statistically significant (p=0.43). Stress scores were lower amongst pet owners (mean 3.6 ± 1.4 vs. 4.6 ± 1.8; p=0.38). Tobacco use was absent among pet owners but present in 17% of nonpet owners. Conversely, a higher proportion of pet owners reported having a chronic disease (62% vs. 17%). No statistically significant differences were observed in BMI, WHR, stress, or exercise levels.

Conclusion: Pet ownership in Grenada was not significantly associated with reduced risk factors for chronic disease. Although pet owners demonstrated lower obesity, stress levels, and tobacco use, their higher reported chronic illness suggests complex interactions possibly influenced by cultural perceptions of animal companionship. Larger, representative studies are warranted to clarify these relationships and inform One Health strategies linking human and animal well-being.