Parent and Pediatrician Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Pet-Associated Hazards

Villar, Rodrigo; Connick, Megan; Barton, Leslie L.; Meaney, F. John; Davis, Melinda F.

doi:10.1001/archpedi.152.10.1035

Cited by 29 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Several studies have indicated that physicians often rely on veterinarians for advising the public about the potential for zoonotic disease and thus discuss this topic with their patients less frequently than veterinarians [37,38]. Although physicians believe educating patients about pet-associated health hazards is important, time constraints and competing health messages were often cited for not doing so [39]. Similarly, although veterinarians were an important source for zoonotic disease information in this study, there appear to have been many missed opportunities by the profession.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Household knowledge, attitudes and practices related to pet contact and associated zoonoses in Ontario, Canada

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundMany human infections are transmitted through contact with animals (zoonoses), including household pets. Although pet ownership is common in most countries and non-pet owners may have frequent contact with pets, there is limited knowledge of the public’s pet contact practices and awareness of zoonotic disease risks from pets. The objective of this study was to characterize the general public’s knowledge, attitudes and risks related to pet ownership and animal contact in southern Ontario, Canada.MethodsA self-administered questionnaire was distributed to individuals at two multi-physician clinics in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada during 2010. A single adult from each household was invited to participate in the study.ResultsSeventy five percent (641/853) of individuals approached completed the questionnaire. Pet ownership and contact were common; 64% of participants had a pet in their household and 37% of non-pet owning households had a member with at least weekly animal contact outside the home. Pet ownership was high (55%) for households with individuals at higher risk for infections (i.e., < 5 yrs, ≥ 65 yrs, immunocompromised). Most respondents (64%) indicated that they had never received information regarding pet-associated disease risks. When given a list of 11 infectious pathogens, respondents were only able to correctly classify just over half on their potential to be transmitted from pets to people (mean 6.4); independently, pet owners and those who recalled receiving information in the past about this topic were able to make significantly more correct identifications. Pet (36%) and non-pet owning households (10%) reported dog or cat bites or scratches during the preceding year. Households with individuals at higher risk for an infection did not differ from the remaining households regarding their perceived disease risk of pets, zoonotic disease knowledge, recall of being asked by their medical provider if they owned any pets, or recall of having received information regarding pet-associated disease risks and preventive measures.ConclusionsThese results suggest that there is a need for accessible zoonotic disease information for both pet and non-owning households, with additional efforts made by veterinary, human and public health personnel. Immediate educational efforts directed toward households with individuals at higher risk to infections are especially needed.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Household knowledge, attitudes and practices related to pet contact and associated zoonoses in Ontario, Canada

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Presence of an adult did not necessarily imply adequate supervision, however, since parents can be unaware of bite risks and therefore less vigilant when the child is being quiet or affectionate with the dog 14 15…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioural characteristics associated with dog bites to children presenting to an urban trauma centre

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Children are the most frequent victims of dog bites presenting to hospital emergency departments (ED), but there are gaps in understanding of the circumstances of such bites. The objective of this study was to characterise the behavioural circumstances of dog bites by interviewing children ≤17 years (or parent proxies for children ≤6 years) presenting with dog bite injuries to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia about the bite incident, its setting and associated interactions. Of 203 children enrolled, 51% were <7 years old and 55% were male. 72% of children knew the biting dog. Most bites to younger children occurred during positive interactions, initiated by the child, with stationary, familiar dogs, indoors. Most older bitten children had been active (eg, outdoors), unfamiliar with the dog and not interacting. Whereas face bites predominated (70%) in the younger group (<7 years), bites to extremities predominated (72%) in the older group. Recognition of the two distinctive behavioural and circumstantial subgroups of dog bites that emerged can lead to more effective prevention strategies.

show abstract

“…The mere presence of a parent, who may underestimate the risk of bites to young children,20 may not be sufficient to prevent bites 21. Although it is natural to assume that hitting and other pain-inducing interactions can elicit aggression, parents and dog owners may be less vigilant when a child simply approaches or pets a dog.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral assessment of child-directed canine aggression

2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Parent and Pediatrician Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Pet-Associated Hazards

Cited by 29 publications

References 20 publications

Household knowledge, attitudes and practices related to pet contact and associated zoonoses in Ontario, Canada

Household knowledge, attitudes and practices related to pet contact and associated zoonoses in Ontario, Canada

Behavioural characteristics associated with dog bites to children presenting to an urban trauma centre

Behavioral assessment of child-directed canine aggression

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About