title: Zoonoses in rural veterinarians in the central region of Argentina.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the frequency of zoonoses in rural veterinarians and to search for risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study based on an anonymously answered structured questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  The interviewees participated in mandatory continuing education classes scheduled throughout the province by the College of Veterinary Surgeons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Overall, 741 professionals were surveyed, and 75.8% (n = 562) of them completed the structured questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cumulative incidence (CIR) and incidence density (IDR) rates, standardised rates, χ(2) , Student's t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient and logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CIR for all zoonoses was 34.1% (brucellosis, 29.1%; toxoplasmosis, 2.1%; leptospirosis, 0.6%; tuberculosis, 0.6%; anthrax, 0.6%; ringworm, 0.4%; other, 0.6%). The IDR for the period 1964-2008 was estimated to be 20.7% (19.5% for brucellosis). The brucellosis IDR decreased between 1964 and 2008 and was higher during early post-graduation. The risk of brucellosis was associated with the number of years of practice and the geographical area. Sixty-nine respondents had at least one day of absence from work (24.0 ± 27.8 days).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high frequency of zoonoses was reported by veterinarians with a large animal practice. Although the rate of zoonoses may be decreasing, further studies are needed to confirm this finding. A joint effort of all institutions is needed to prevent zoonoses among private practitioners.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Molineri
authors.forename: Marcelo L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Signorini
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Héctor D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Tarabla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D018634:Veterinarians; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: occupational injury; risk factor; safety practice; veterinary practice