Cumulative trauma disorders among California veterinarians

Background The prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) in veterinarians has not been adequately studied. Methods A questionnaire was sent to 2,000 California veterinarians in 1997; the return rate was 73% (n = 1,415). Results Ninety‐six percent (1,353) of the respondents were professionally...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of industrial medicine 2012-09, Vol.55 (9), p.855-861
Main Authors: Berry, Steven L., Susitaival, Päivikki, Ahmadi, Abbas, Schenker, Marc B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
California - epidemiology
cumulative trauma disorder
Cumulative Trauma Disorders - epidemiology
Cumulative Trauma Disorders - etiology
dairy practice
epidemiology
Female
Health participants
Health Surveys
Humans
large animal practice
Logistic Models
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
occupational diseases
Occupational Diseases - epidemiology
Occupational Diseases - etiology
Prevalence
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
repetitive motion injury
Risk Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Veterinarians
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Summary:Background The prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) in veterinarians has not been adequately studied. Methods A questionnaire was sent to 2,000 California veterinarians in 1997; the return rate was 73% (n = 1,415). Results Ninety‐six percent (1,353) of the respondents were professionally active and were included in the analyses. Sixty‐four percent were male and 90% were working full‐time. One‐fourth of the respondents reported a CTD during their career that required treatment or restricted usual activities. Two‐thirds of those reporting CTDs reported chronic or residual problems. In a multivariate regression analysis female sex, working full‐time, rectal palpations, and large animal practice were significant risk factors for CTDs. Conclusions Being in large animal practice increased the CTD risk for both women and men whether they worked full or part‐time. CTD risk was highest in women working full‐time and doing 80% rectal palpations. Preventive methods to attenuate the risk of CTDs especially in large animal practice should be investigated. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:855–861, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ISSN:0271-3586
1097-0274
DOI:10.1002/ajim.22076