Abstract
ObjectivesEmployees in non-healthcare occupations may be in several ways exposed to infectious agents. Improved knowledge about the risks is needed to identify opportunities to prevent work-related infectious diseases. The objective of the current study was to provide an updated overview of the published evidence on the exposure to pathogens among non-healthcare workers. Because of the recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks, we also aimed to gain more evidence about exposure to several respiratory tract pathogens.MethodsEligible studies were identified in MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane between 2009 and 8 December 2020. The protocol was registered with International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42019107265). An additional quality assessment was applied according to the Equator network guidelines.ResultsThe systematic literature search yielded 4620 papers of which 270 met the selection and quality criteria. Infectious disease risks were described in 37 occupational groups; 18 of them were not mentioned before. Armed forces (n=36 pathogens), livestock farm labourers (n=31), livestock/dairy producers (n=26), abattoir workers (n=22); animal carers and forestry workers (both n=16) seemed to have the highest risk. In total, 111 pathogen exposures were found. Many of these occupational groups (81.1%) were exposed to respiratory tract pathogens.ConclusionMany of these respiratory tract pathogens were readily transmitted where employees congregate (workplace risk factors), while worker risk factors seemed to be of increasing importance. By analysing existing knowledge of these risk factors, identifying new risks and susceptible risk groups, this review aimed to raise awareness of the issue and provide reliable information to establish more effective preventive measures.
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Reference50 articles.
1. Hämäläinen P , Takala J , Boon Kiat T . Global estimates of occupational accidents and work-related illnesses 2017. workplace safety and health Institute, Singapore and Ministry of social Affairs and health, Finland. Available: http://www.icohweb.org/site/images/news/pdf/Report%20Global%20Estimates%20of%20Occupational%20Accidents%20and%20Work-related%20Illnesses%202017%20rev1.pdf [Accessed 15 Jun 2020].
2. Infectious disease risks associated with occupational exposure: a systematic review of the literature
3. Interventions to increase the reporting of occupational diseases by physicians: a Cochrane systematic review
4. Case Investigations of Infectious Diseases Occurring in Workplaces, United States, 2006–2015
5. Occupational exposure to dust and to fumes, work as a welder and invasive pneumococcal disease risk
Cited by
16 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献