Risk factors and prevalence of work-related injuries and accidents among veterinarians in India.

Sukhdev Mishra,Rajendra Palkhade

doi:10.14202/vetworld.2020.2555-2564

Sukhdev Mishra, Rajendra Palkhade

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.2555-2564

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Journal: Veterinary world	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2020
Citations: 7	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: National Institute of Occupational Health

Abstract

Background and Aim:Veterinary medicine is a high-risk occupation and imparts a risk of physical injuries due to the unpredictable nature of the animals and workplace conditions. This study aimed to identify the associated risk factors and prevalence of work-related injuries, and automobile accidents among veterinarians in India.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out among veterinarians (n=565). The responses were recorded using a self-administered questionnaire on work-related injuries, automobile accidents, and physical hazards.Results:Work-related injuries due to animals in the past 2 years were reported by more than half of veterinarians (prevalence=54.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI]=50.58-58.79), while two-thirds experienced workplace injuries due to animals during any time of their career. The risk for injury was 1.1 times higher (odds ratio=1.1, 95% CI=0.611, 1.981) for veterinarians with a long job duration (>10 years). Large animal practicing veterinarians faced a higher (2.03 times) risk of injury. Workplace absenteeism due to animal-related injury (up to 15 or more days) was reported by 25.9% (95% CI=22.44-29.68) of respondents, including hospitalizations for 7.8% of veterinarians. More than half of veterinarians suffered from automobile injuries (prevalence=60.9%, 95% CI=6.8-64.8) due to work-related travel in the past 2 years, resulting in workplace absenteeism for 56.2% (95% CI=51.46-60.97) of subjects. The prevalence of needlestick injury among veterinarians was very high and reported as 80.9% (95% CI=77.49-83.99). Recapping of needles significantly increased the risk of needlestick injury by 1.67 times.Conclusion:Veterinarians are at risk of work-related injuries, including automobile accidents. Kicking by animals and needlestick injuries were the most frequent physical hazards. Recapping of needles and responding to emergency calls at night were significant risk factors for needlestick injury and automobile accidents, respectively.

Highlights

Veterinary professionals work in broad clinical settings, where varied working environments with varied kinds of species/patients are encountered [1]
More than half of veterinarians suffered from automobile injuries due to work-related travel in the past 2 years, resulting in workplace absenteeism for 56.2% of subjects
Veterinarians are at risk of work-related injuries, including automobile accidents

Summary

Introduction

Veterinary professionals work in broad clinical settings, where varied working environments with varied kinds of species/patients are encountered [1]. The working environment and nature of the work itself are both important factors that can influence health [2]. Animal health is one of the components of the “One Health” approach, whose realization depends prominently on the physical and psychological well-being of veterinarians. The hazards in the field of veterinary medicine have been classified as physical, chemical, biological, and psychological [3]. Clinical and epidemiological studies have reported that veterinarians are at increased risk for different occupational-related illnesses [4,5]. Veterinary medicine is a high-risk occupation and imparts a risk of physical injuries due to the unpredictable nature of the animals and workplace conditions. This study aimed to identify the associated risk factors and prevalence of work-related injuries, and automobile accidents among veterinarians in India

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Conclusion