Infection control practices and zoonotic disease risks among veterinarians in the United States

Abstract

OBJECTIVE-To assess the knowledge and use of infection control practices (ICPs) among US veterinarians. DESIGN-Anonymous mail-out population survey. PROCEDURES-In 2005 a questionnaire was mailed to US small animal, large animal, and equine veterinarians who were randomly selected from the AVMA membership to assess precaution awareness (PA) and veterinarians' perceptions of zoonotic disease risks. Respondents were assigned a PA score (0 to 4) on the basis of their responses (higher scores representing higher stringency of ICPs); within a practice type, respondents' scores were categorized as being within the upper 25% or lower 75% of scores (high and low PA ranking, respectively). Characteristics associated with low PA rankings were assessed. RESULTS-Generally, respondents did not engage in protective behaviors or use personal protective equipment considered appropriate to protect against zoonotic disease transmission. Small animal and equine veterinarians employed in practices that had no written infection control policy were significantly more likely to have low PA ranking. Male gender was associated with low PA ranking among small animal and large animal veterinarians; equine practitioners not working in a teaching or referral hospital were more likely to have low PA ranking than equine practitioners working in such institutions. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-Results indicated that most US veterinarians are not aware of appropriate personal protective equipment use and do not engage in practices that may help reduce zoonotic disease transmission. Gender differences may influence personal choices for ICPs. Provision of information and training on ICPs and establishment of written infection control policies could be effective means of improving ICPs in veterinary practices.

Horse owners’ biosecurity practices following the first equine influenza outbreak in Australia

“…In support of these findings, an experimental study showed that interventions to promote handwashing in public restrooms targeting different perceptions such as knowledge, disgust and social norms can affect men and woman differently (Judah, 2009). Considering these findings in conjunction with research indicating that male veterinarians exhibit less precaution awareness for zoonotic risk than female veterinarians (Wright, 2008) we assumed that age and gender of horse owners would be associated with biosecurity perceptions (explanatory variables) and confound biosecurity compliance (the protective behaviour related to equine health used as the outcome in this study). We therefore controlled for the confounding effects of age and gender of participants by including both variables in all multivariable models, irrespectively of their p value.…”

“…Insufficient use of infection reducing practices has been previously identified for American veterinary hospitals (Wright, 2008). Establishment of written infection control policies has been recommended by many American researchers (England, 2002;Morley, 2002;Wright, 2008). In recent years, biosecurity policies have been recommended for equine veterinary hospitals in the state of Queensland after the latest incidences of Hendra virus infection among veterinarians (DEEDI, 2011b).…”

Survey of Australian equine veterinarians evaluating their biosecurity training and perceptions and opinions about the management of the 2007 equine influenza outbreak

“…23 Other studies have also suggested that veterinarians play an important role in promoting public health through education of clients about zoonotic diseases. 2,24 Regarding the response to the 2007 equine influenza outbreak, whilst overall the veterinarians were satisfied with the equine influenza outbreak response they had mixed opinions about the communications and control measures used. Qualitative comments revealed that communications were seen as both positive and negative, a finding consistent with horse owner's views on the same topic.…”

“…A recent study identified that most zoonoses among veterinarians from Oregon had occurred in the past in older veterinarians during their final year of veterinary school and their first three years after graduation, yet in that study no recent graduates (1-2 years after graduation) and few skilled veterinarians (3-5 years after graduation) reported zoonotic infections, suggesting that the effectiveness of infection control training at veterinary schools has improved. 10 Wright et al 2 assessed the knowledge and use of infection control practices among US veterinarians and found that equine veterinarians displayed lower stringency of infection control practices if they did not work in a teaching or referral hospital or if their practice did not have written infection control policies. A recent Australian study established baseline data on zoonotic disease risk perceptions and personal protective equipment use by Australian veterinarians; finding a low uptake of appropriate personal protective equipment use compared to levels recommended in industry guidelines.…”

“…Overseas, many studies have identified the need for prevention of nosocomial and zoonotic infections in clinical settings. [1][2][3][4][5] In Australia, the emergence of zoonotic Hendra virus has lead to calls for better risk assessment and biosecurity practices of Australian equine veterinarians in the field 6 . The 2007 equine influenza outbreak also raised equine veterinarians' awareness of the need for good biosecurity and hygiene practices to prevent the spread of infectious diseases from client to client.…”