Journal des maladies tropicales et de la santé publique

Abstrait

Epidemiological studies on occupational hazards among Veterinarians

Ajay Kumar Upadhyay

The present study was carried out by conducting a survey among veterinarians related to treatment of animals. As many as 392 veterinarians were surveyed consisting 242 field veterinarians of Uttarakhand and 150 academic veterinarians of Uttarakhand, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Out of 392 veterinarians 274 were male and 118 were females. All respondents considered for analysis had regular contact with animals and average working hours per day were 8. Majority of veterinarians reported some sort of injuries within last five year. Out of total 392 respondents, 5.1% (20) reported no injury, 47.5% (186) respondents had 1-5 injuries, 32.1% (126) encountered 5-10 injuries and 15.3% (60) veterinarians had more than 10 injuries during last 5 years. Many individuals reported more than one kind of injury. Individual showed 1 or more than 1 type of injury. The Bite (31.8%), scratch (65.1%), kick (62.8%), horn wound (14%), needle prick (89.2%), injuries due to falling/ lifting animals/ moving heavy equipments (61.3%) and fracture (3.8%) were commonly reported physical injuries. Proportion of injury reported by females was greater than males. Majority of veterinarian (74%) self-treated those physical injuries. 6.5% individuals hospitalized due to injuries like fracture, sprain and severe wound. A total of 19.1% (75/392) of veterinarians were involved in taking radiographic examinations. Most of the veterinarians taking x-rays were academic veterinarians.86.7% were using lead apron (61.3%), but large proportion did not use lead gloves, lead sleeves, lead glasses and monitor. Proportion of males taking x-rays (69.3%) and using protective gears is greater than females (30.7%).