Determinants of Work-Related Risks among Veterinary Clinical Students in South West Nigeria

Abstract

Veterinary practices or activities expose professionals, including students, to hazards associated with animal contact. To describe workplace health and safety status and risk factors associated with hazards among veterinary clinical students in South West Nigeria, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using a semistructured questionnaire. Data on demographics, health and safety (HS) status, work-related hazards, healthcare facilities, and immunisation history were obtained. Of 167 students recruited, 100 (60.2%) were males, and >77.1% fell within the age group of 21–25 years. Many participants (77.0%) reported the lack of active HS committee. Exposures to various physical hazards (PHs) such as needlestick injuries (NSIs, 41.5%), animal scratches (42.0%), animal kicks (33.0%), falls/slips (25.0%), and, less frequently, animal bites (13.8%) were reported. Allergies (35.9%) and acute gastrointestinal infection (25.6%) mainly after contact with dogs presented with parvoviral enteritis were reported. For chemical hazards, 27.8% and 29.0% of participants indicated having had eye burn and choke on exposure to formalin. No adequate immunisation against either tetanus, rabies, or both was provided (<18%). An association between accommodation type and students’ level of health and safety training was observed (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.241–0.897, p=0.02), and frequencies of student contact with various animal types were strongly associated with exposures to different physical and biological risks (p<0.05). This study revealed poor health and safety training, practices, and increased exposure of students to a wide range of hazards. Therefore, the development of mitigation programmes in veterinary schools becomes critical to safeguard students’ wellbeing.

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 Pandemic) in Nigeria: Multi-institutional Survey of Knowledge, Practices and Perception Amongst Undergraduate Veterinary Medical Students

“…The study revealed a higher number of male respondents than females. This is similar to previous studies which showed a reflection of male dominance in the veterinary profession in Nigeria (Odetokun et al, 2019;Adebowale et al, 2020;Adenubi et al, 2020b). Female veterinary students who participated in this study (40.5%), when compared with a similar and recent study conducted among veterinary professionals with 27.2% female respondents seems higher (Adenubi et al, 2020b).…”

Systematic review and meta-analysis of veterinary-related occupational exposures to hazards

“…Overall, veterinarians are exposed to diverse forms of hazards in their workplace. Significant physical hazards, particularly the needlestick injuries (NSI) (75.0%; 95% CI: 68.0–82.0%, p< 0.001) and cumulative traumatic disorder (CTD) (25%; 95% CI: 23.0–27.0%, p< 0.001) among veterinarians has been a source of worries for professionals due to their high prevalence [4,5,7,9,38]. NSI remains a major hazard and issue in the veterinary profession especially with regards to recapping of needles and consequent accidental needle prick [9].…”

“…NSI remains a major hazard and issue in the veterinary profession especially with regards to recapping of needles and consequent accidental needle prick [9]. Besides, frequent contact with and handling of large animals such as pigs, goats and sheep increased the risk of NSI in veterinary students [38]. The lack of in-depth understanding of animal behaviour (ethology), improper handling and disposal of needles, and poor or inadequate restraint techniques applied to these large animals predispose to increased risk of NSIs [38].…”

“…Besides, frequent contact with and handling of large animals such as pigs, goats and sheep increased the risk of NSI in veterinary students [38]. The lack of in-depth understanding of animal behaviour (ethology), improper handling and disposal of needles, and poor or inadequate restraint techniques applied to these large animals predispose to increased risk of NSIs [38]. Emphasizing mitigation measures including the competent training and impartation of skills in the best practices relating to the handling, recapping and disposal of needles and sharps, as well as standard restraining techniques and facilities for animals must be the priority.…”

“…We encourage more surveys on occupational health, documenting and reviewing the risks and the impact of zoonotic diseases on the veterinary profession would contribute to occupational risk prevention [45]. Development of risk assessment plans, health and safety guidelines, good practices, and mitigation systems to reduce workplacerelated hazards must be carried out from training institutions to workplace postgraduation [38].…”