Risk factors for leptospirosis seropositivity in slaughterhouse workers in western Kenya

Cook, EAJ ORCID: 0000-0001-6081-8363, de Glanville, WA, Thomas, LF ORCID: 0000-0001-8447-1210, Kariuki, S, Bronsvoort, BMDC and Fevre, EM ORCID: 0000-0001-8931-4986 (2017) Risk factors for leptospirosis seropositivity in slaughterhouse workers in western Kenya. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 74 (5). pp. 357-365.

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Abstract

Objectives Leptospirosis has been documented in slaughterhouse workers around the world. Risk factors include smoking and drinking at work, and performing tasks such as cleaning offal. This paper examined risk factors for leptospirosis seropositivity in slaughterhouse workers in western Kenya. Methods The study was conducted between May 2011 and October 2012. Questionnaires were used to collect information from workers on demographic data, health and hygiene practices in the slaughterhouse. A commercial ELISA detected antibodies to Leptospira spp. in serum samples and multilevel logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with leptospirosis seropositivity. Results A total of 737 workers from 142 slaughterhouses were recruited. The seroprevalence of antibodies to Leptospira spp. was 13.4% (95% CI 11.1% to 16.1%). Risk factors included: having wounds (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.5 to 6.1); smoking (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.9); eating at work (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2 to 3.6); cleaning the offal (OR 5.1; 95% CI 1.8 to 15.0); and having a borehole for personal water use (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 4.7). At the slaughterhouse level, risk factors included having a roof (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.2 to 5.6) and drawing water from a well (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2 to 4.0). Protective factors included working in slaughterhouses where antemortem inspection was conducted (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4 to 1.0) and where workers wore protective aprons (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.2 to 0.7). Conclusions This is the first report of leptospirosis seropositivity in slaughterhouse workers in Kenya. Potential risk factors were identified and this information can be used to educate workers regarding their disease risks and ways to prevent or reduce transmission.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Animals, Humans, Leptospira, Leptospirosis, Occupational Diseases, Antibodies, Bacterial, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Logistic Models, Risk Factors, Protective Clothing, Occupational Exposure, Abattoirs, Geographic Information Systems, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Middle Aged, Kenya, Female, Male, Young Adult, Surveys and Questionnaires
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	15 Dec 2016 08:45
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 07:24
DOI:	10.1136/oemed-2016-103895
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3004890