Prevalence and patterns of self-reported animal-related injury among veterinarians in metropolitan Kampala.
To establish the prevalence, patterns and risk factors of animal-related injuries among veterinarians, self-administered questionnaires were given to 60 veterinarians practicing in metropolitan Kampala. The prevalence of animal-related injuries in metropolitan Kampala was 72% (95%CI, 57~84). Some veterinarians (34%) suffered multiple injuries with a mean and median of 2.1 and 2.0 injuries per veterinarian, respectively. Of a total of 70 self-reported animal related injuries, cattle accounted for 72%, cats for 25%, dogs for 23%, self inoculation for 15% and birds for 13%. Injuries associated with poultry did not require hospital treatment. The upper limb was the most the frequently (68%) injured anatomical body part of veterinarians, and vaccination of animals (25%) was the major activity associated with injury. Animal-related injuries are common among practicing veterinarians in metropolitan Kampala; however, they did not differ significantly based on the veterinarian's gender, experience or risk awareness.
Pathobiology Academic Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, P.O Box 7, St. George's Grenada, West Indies. rkabuusu@sgu.edu
Richard M
RM
Kabuusu
Emmanuel O
EO
Keku
Robert
R
Kiyini
Theresa J
TJ
McCann
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D014454:Uganda; D018634:Veterinarians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*