Risk factors for occupational brucellosis among veterinary personnel in Turkey

KUTLU M., Ergonul O., SAYIN KUTLU S., Guven T., Ustun C., Alp-Cavus S., ...More

PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE, vol.117, no.1, pp.52-58, 2014 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 117 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.07.010
  • Journal Name: PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.52-58
  • Keywords: Brucella, Occupational health, Retrospective cohort study, Risk analysis, Vaccine related brucellosis, Veterinarians, Zoonotic infections, INFECTION, VACCINE, HEALTH, ZOONOSES, WORKERS
  • Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are at risk for occupational brucellosis. We described the risk factors of occupational brucellosis among veterinary personnel in Turkey. A multicenter retrospective survey was performed among veterinary personnel who were actively working in the field. Of 712 veterinary personnel, 84(11.8%) had occupational brucellosis. The median number of years since graduation was 7 (interquartile ranges [IQR], 4-11) years in the occupational brucellosis group, whereas this number was 9 (IQR, 4-16) years in the non-brucellosis group (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, working in the private sector (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.55-5.28, p = 0.001), being male (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.05-18.84, p = 0.041), number of performed deliveries (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.002-1.02, p = 0.014), and injury during Brucella vaccine administration (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 3.16-9.3, p < 0.001) were found to be risk factors for occupational brucellosis. We suggest that all veterinary personnel should be trained on brucellosis and the importance of using personal protective equipment in order to avoid this infection. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.