Veterinarians as a Risk Group for Zoonoses: Exposure, Knowledge and Protective Practices in Finland
Background: Veterinarians may encounter a variety of zoonotic pathogens in their work. Methods: We conducted two cross-sectional questionnaire studies among veterinarians in Finland. Participants were recruited during two Annual Veterinary Congresses. In 2009, 306 veterinarians participated in an ex...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Safety and Health at Work |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791121000871 |
| _version_ | 1827850633150988288 |
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| author | Paula M. Kinnunen Alisa Matomäki Marie Verkola Annamari Heikinheimo Olli Vapalahti Hannimari Kallio-kokko Anna-Maija Virtala Pikka Jokelainen |
| author_facet | Paula M. Kinnunen Alisa Matomäki Marie Verkola Annamari Heikinheimo Olli Vapalahti Hannimari Kallio-kokko Anna-Maija Virtala Pikka Jokelainen |
| author_sort | Paula M. Kinnunen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Veterinarians may encounter a variety of zoonotic pathogens in their work. Methods: We conducted two cross-sectional questionnaire studies among veterinarians in Finland. Participants were recruited during two Annual Veterinary Congresses. In 2009, 306 veterinarians participated in an extensive questionnaire study, and in 2016, 262 veterinarians participated in a more focused study that included two same questions. Results: In 2009, the majority (90.9%) of the participating veterinarians reported having been occupationally exposed to zoonotic pathogens. Zoonotic infections (15.0%), needle stick incidents (78.8%), bites (85.0%), as well as infected skin lesions (24.2%) were reported. In 2009, 8.2% of the participants fully agreed with the statement “I have good knowledge of zoonoses and their prevention”; in 2016, the proportion was 10.3%. The reported use of protective practices and personal protective equipment in connection with specific veterinary procedures indicated that there was room for improvement, particularly in protection from pathogens that are transmissible via inhalation and mucous membranes. Conclusion: The results confirm that veterinarians are commonly occupationally exposed to zoonotic pathogens. Education should aim to improve and maintain the knowledge of zoonoses and their prevention. Use of protective practices should be advocated. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T10:21:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d9890312a69a43aaa5d982b384ad6df5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2093-7911 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T10:21:07Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Safety and Health at Work |
| spelling | doaj.art-d9890312a69a43aaa5d982b384ad6df52023-09-02T10:07:52ZengElsevierSafety and Health at Work2093-79112022-03-011317885Veterinarians as a Risk Group for Zoonoses: Exposure, Knowledge and Protective Practices in FinlandPaula M. Kinnunen0Alisa Matomäki1Marie Verkola2Annamari Heikinheimo3Olli Vapalahti4Hannimari Kallio-kokko5Anna-Maija Virtala6Pikka Jokelainen7Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Division of Health and Social Services, Legality and Licensing, Regional State Administrative Agency of Northern Finland, FinlandDepartment of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Laboratory and Research Division, Microbiology Unit, Finnish Food Authority, FinlandDepartment of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki and HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital, FinlandHUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, FinlandDepartment of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Denmark; Corresponding author. Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark.Background: Veterinarians may encounter a variety of zoonotic pathogens in their work. Methods: We conducted two cross-sectional questionnaire studies among veterinarians in Finland. Participants were recruited during two Annual Veterinary Congresses. In 2009, 306 veterinarians participated in an extensive questionnaire study, and in 2016, 262 veterinarians participated in a more focused study that included two same questions. Results: In 2009, the majority (90.9%) of the participating veterinarians reported having been occupationally exposed to zoonotic pathogens. Zoonotic infections (15.0%), needle stick incidents (78.8%), bites (85.0%), as well as infected skin lesions (24.2%) were reported. In 2009, 8.2% of the participants fully agreed with the statement “I have good knowledge of zoonoses and their prevention”; in 2016, the proportion was 10.3%. The reported use of protective practices and personal protective equipment in connection with specific veterinary procedures indicated that there was room for improvement, particularly in protection from pathogens that are transmissible via inhalation and mucous membranes. Conclusion: The results confirm that veterinarians are commonly occupationally exposed to zoonotic pathogens. Education should aim to improve and maintain the knowledge of zoonoses and their prevention. Use of protective practices should be advocated.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791121000871Occupational healthPersonal protective equipmentZoonotic infections |
| spellingShingle | Paula M. Kinnunen Alisa Matomäki Marie Verkola Annamari Heikinheimo Olli Vapalahti Hannimari Kallio-kokko Anna-Maija Virtala Pikka Jokelainen Veterinarians as a Risk Group for Zoonoses: Exposure, Knowledge and Protective Practices in Finland Safety and Health at Work Occupational health Personal protective equipment Zoonotic infections |
| title | Veterinarians as a Risk Group for Zoonoses: Exposure, Knowledge and Protective Practices in Finland |
| title_full | Veterinarians as a Risk Group for Zoonoses: Exposure, Knowledge and Protective Practices in Finland |
| title_fullStr | Veterinarians as a Risk Group for Zoonoses: Exposure, Knowledge and Protective Practices in Finland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Veterinarians as a Risk Group for Zoonoses: Exposure, Knowledge and Protective Practices in Finland |
| title_short | Veterinarians as a Risk Group for Zoonoses: Exposure, Knowledge and Protective Practices in Finland |
| title_sort | veterinarians as a risk group for zoonoses exposure knowledge and protective practices in finland |
| topic | Occupational health Personal protective equipment Zoonotic infections |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791121000871 |
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