title: Risk factors for leptospirosis seropositivity in slaughterhouse workers in western Kenya.
abstract: Leptospirosis has been documented in slaughterhouse workers around the world. Risk factors include smoking and drinking at work, and performing tasks such as cleaning offal. This paper examined risk factors for leptospirosis seropositivity in slaughterhouse workers in western Kenya.
  
  
  
  The study was conducted between May 2011 and October 2012. Questionnaires were used to collect information from workers on demographic data, health and hygiene practices in the slaughterhouse. A commercial ELISA detected antibodies toLeptospiraspp. in serum samples and multilevel logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with leptospirosis seropositivity.
  
  
  
  A total of 737 workers from 142 slaughterhouses were recruited. The seroprevalence of antibodies toLeptospiraspp. was 13.4% (95% CI 11.1% to 16.1%). Risk factors included: having wounds (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.5 to 6.1); smoking (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.9); eating at work (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2 to 3.6); cleaning the offal (OR 5.1; 95% CI 1.8 to 15.0); and having a borehole for personal water use (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 4.7). At the slaughterhouse level, risk factors included having a roof (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.2 to 5.6) and drawing water from a well (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2 to 4.0). Protective factors included working in slaughterhouses where antemortem inspection was conducted (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4 to 1.0) and where workers wore protective aprons (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.2 to 0.7).
  
  
  
  This is the first report of leptospirosis seropositivity in slaughterhouse workers in Kenya. Potential risk factors were identified and this information can be used to educate workers regarding their disease risks and ways to prevent or reduce transmission.
authors.affiliation: Ashworth Laboratories, Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.|International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Elizabeth Anne Jessie
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6081-8363
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.affiliation: Ashworth Laboratories, Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.|International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: William Anson
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: de Glanville
authors.affiliation: Ashworth Laboratories, Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.|International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Lian Francesca
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kariuki
authors.affiliation: The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.|Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, UK.
authors.forename: Barend Mark de Clare
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Bronsvoort
authors.affiliation: International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.|Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
authors.forename: Eric Maurice
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Fèvre
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D007919:Leptospira / Q000276:immunology; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial
keywords: Leptospirosis; Slaughterhouse