title: The risky business of being an entomologist: A systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adverse work-related health outcomes are a significant problem worldwide. Entomologists, including arthropod breeders, are a unique occupational group exposed to potentially harmful arthropods, pesticides, and other more generic hazards. These exposures may place them at risk of a range of adverse work-related health outcomes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine what adverse work-related health outcomes entomologists have experienced, the incidence/prevalence of these outcomes, and what occupational management strategies have been employed by entomologists, and their effectiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search of eight databases was undertaken to identify studies informing the review objectives. Data pertaining to country, year, design, work-exposure, adverse work-related health outcomes, incidence/prevalence of these outcomes, and occupational management strategies were extracted, and reported descriptively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results showed entomologists experienced work-related allergies, venom reactions, infections, infestations and delusional parasitosis. These related to exposure to insects, arachnids, chilopods and entognathans, and non-arthropod exposures, e.g. arthropod feed. Few studies reported the incidence/prevalence of such conditions, or work-related management strategies utilised by entomologists. There were no studies that specifically investigated the effectiveness of potential management strategies for entomologists as a population. Indeed, critical appraisal analysis indicated poor research quality in this area, which is a significant research gap.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Entomologists are a diverse, unique occupational group, at risk of a range of adverse work-related health outcomes. This study represents the first systematic review of their work-related health risks. Future studies investigating the prevalence of adverse work-related health outcomes for entomologists, and the effectiveness of management strategies are warranted to decrease the disease burden of this otherwise understudied group.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 5, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stanhope
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 5, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carver
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, South Australia, Australia; School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 7001, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: Philip.weinstein@adelaide.edu.au.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weinstein
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D004772:Entomology; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Allergy; Arthropod; Entomologist; Health; Review