Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39616377›Full record

ArticleOne health outlook2024

Knowledge, risk perceptions and practices regarding rodents and their associated pathogens: environmental consultants in Chile.

Esteban Vásquez, Rodrigo Salgado, Hugo Mendoza, Diego A Peñaranda, Darío Moreira-Arce, André V Rubio

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in One health outlook, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Esteban VásquezDepartamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Av. Santa Rosa 11735, Santiago, Chile.
Rodrigo SalgadoDepartamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Av. Santa Rosa 11735, Santiago, Chile.
Hugo MendozaLaboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades y Una Salud, Departamento de Ecología, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico.
Diego A PeñarandaDepartamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, Chile.
Darío Moreira-ArceDepartamento de Gestión Agraria, Facultad Tecnológica, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Avenida Ecuador N° 3769, Santiago, Chile.
André V RubioDepartamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Av. Santa Rosa 11735, Santiago, Chile. arubio@uchile.cl.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7297-9535

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRodents play essential ecological roles but are also significant reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens, posing risks to humans. Individuals with frequent occupational contact with rodents face an elevated risk of exposure to rodent-borne diseases. This study examines the knowledge, risk perceptions, and practices of Chilean environmental consultants (ECs) concerning rodents and rodent-borne diseases.

methodsA 32-item questionnaire, which focused primarily on biologists, veterinarians, and environmental engineers, was administered. The questionnaire included closed, open-ended, and semi-open-ended questions. Data analyses, performed using R software, involved calculating frequencies and proportions for questions related to knowledge of rodents and rodent-borne diseases, rodent management and handling, biosafety procedures, and training. Additionally, generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to assess knowledge of rodent hosts and diseases, whereas correspondence analysis was used to examine associations between EC characteristics (undergraduate fields of study and years of experience) and responses regarding risk perception and the importance of zoonotic disease training.

resultsCompleted questionnaires were received from 206 ECs. Although the ECs demonstrated a strong awareness of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, identifying it as a significant rodent-borne threat, knowledge gaps were evident regarding the specific role of certain rodent reservoir species and other rodent-borne diseases in Chile. For example, leptospirosis was well recognized, particularly among veterinarians, whereas emerging zoonoses such as scrub typhus was rarely mentioned. The study also revealed the frequent use of live trapping and direct handling of rodents, resulting in injuries to 32% of the respondents. Despite the widespread use of personal protective equipment, key elements such as respiratory protection and disposable suits were underutilized, and inadequate cleaning practices for traps were reported. Nevertheless, ECs expressed a willingness to participate in zoonotic disease training, underscoring the need for further education.

conclusionsThis study highlights the critical need for ongoing education for ECs on rodent reservoirs, diseases, and biosafety measures to enhance their safety and reduce the risk of zoonotic infections. The findings offer valuable insights for developing strategies aimed at improving awareness and strengthening biosafety practices within this occupational group.

Indexed as

Biosafety measuresEcological consultantsOccupational risksRodentiaZoonoses risk

Identifiers

PMID39616377
PMCPMC11608462

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.