Occupational Health Hazards among Veterinary Workers in Sohag Governorate, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Assuit, Egypt

2 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Veterinarians perform different tasks that can be counted among those at risk of health and safety, in particular herds of animals, slaughter houses, farms larvae, stables, horse stables and meat processing plans, and much different tasks that relate in various ways to the problem. Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection that is responsible for substantial economic losses along with human morbidities. Brucellosis is principally affecting animals; however, it can be transmitted from animals to humans. 
The Aim of The Work: This study aims to identify health hazards among veterinarian workers, risk factors for infection with zoonotic diseases and the prevalence of brucellosis among veterinarian workers.
Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted over a representative sample from eight districts in Sohag Governorate chosen through a map sample, from each district a representative sample was taken among a sector of the high-risk occupational group [veterinarians] as exposed group, school teachers and workers as non-exposed group. Subjects were submitted to interviews, history, and laboratory tests, Latex agglutination test for B Abortus and B Melitensis.
Results: Brucella seroprevalence among the exposed group [Veterinians]. Workers using agglutination test was 26% included veterinary workers [46.2%] followed by veterinary doctors [23.1%], veterinary butchers or peelers [23.1], then employer [7.7%]. While in the non-exposed group was 16%, teachers [93.8%] and school workers [6.2%]. The logistic regression model identified eating raw milk product OR 6.6, handling aborted animals OR 6.2, Slaughtered animal OR 5, animal injury OR 3.1 as risk factors for Brucella seropositivity among veterinary workers.
Conclusion: Zoonosis like brucellosis and injuries remain the main occupational risk of veterinarians Brucellosis is an important public health problem worldwide. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It may affect any organ system and can present with a variety of clinical features. 

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