Occupational Exposures and Risks of Spontaneous Abortion among Female Veterinarians.
Abstract: Associations between occupational exposures and spontaneous abortion (SA) in a cohort of female veterinarians were studied with pregnancy and job-exposure history data collected as part of a mixed-mode survey of all women graduating from U.S. veterinary colleges during the 11-year period 1970-1980 (N = 2,997; response rate 85.0%). Data analysis focused on SA risks among postgraduation pregnancies in relation to 1) type of clinical practice at the time of conception and 2) self-reported occupational exposures to 13 exposure entities. Multiple logistic regression was used to control for the potentially confounding effects of maternal age, gravidity, previous SA, and smoking and drinking behaviors. Pregnancies reported by veterinarians employed in all-equine practices were at highest relative risk of spontaneous abortion when compared with pregnancies reported by unemployed veterinarians [confounder-adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.6-7.4]. Agent-specific relative risk estimates ranged from 0.7 to 1.1, suggesting little or no excess risk. However, when analyses were restricted to small-animal practitioners, there was a weak association between SA risk and job-related exposure to ionizing radiation (aOR equals; 1.3; 95% CI, 0.8-2.0), a finding not inconsistent with the results of two other studies of female veterinarians. Although this study showed no strong associations, the results suggest a relationship between SA among female veterinarians and certain exposure types, and thus focus attention on other workers who encounter similar on-the-job hazards.
Publication Date: 1996-01-01 PubMed ID: 9933862DOI: 10.1179/oeh.1996.2.1.26Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article discusses the associations between the working environments and the risks of spontaneous abortions (SA) among female veterinarians who graduated from American veterinary colleges during the period from 1970 to 1980. The study found there was a slightly higher risk of spontaneous abortion among veterinarians who worked specifically with horses, but it identified no significant risks among veterinarians exposed to various medical agents.
Research Methodology
- The researchers conducted a mixed-mode survey targeting all female veterinarians who graduated from U.S. colleges between 1970 and 1980. The aim was to collect data on both pregnancy and job-exposure history.
- With a response rate of 85% from the entire population of 2,997 contactable graduates, the study focused on the risk of spontaneous abortions among postgraduation pregnancies in relation to the type of clinical practice and self-reported exposure to specified occupational exposure entities.
Statistical Analysis
- The data gathered was subjected to multiple logistic regression analyses to adjust for other factors that could confound the relationship between occupational exposure and spontaneous abortion. They controlled for variables like maternal age, number of pregnancies, previous spontaneous abortions, and smoking and drinking behaviors.
Results
- The pregnancies reported by veterinarians employed in all-equine practice showed the highest relative risk of spontaneous abortion when compared with pregnancies reported by unemployed veterinarians. However, considering the 95% confidence interval, this risk is still statistically uncertain.
- In terms of exposure to specific agents, the relative risk ranged from 0.7 to 1.1, suggesting little to no excess risk of spontaneous abortion. However, when the analyses were limited to those primarily involved in small-animal practice, a modest association between job-related exposure to ionizing radiation and spontaneous abortion risk was observed.
Conclusion
- In conclusion, while the study doesn’t show strong associations, it nevertheless indicates certain occupational exposures among female veterinarians may be related to an elevated risk of spontaneous abortions. It brings the focus on exploring possibility of similar risks among other workers exposed to such job-related hazards.
Cite This Article
APA
Steele LL, Wilkins JR.
(1996).
Occupational Exposures and Risks of Spontaneous Abortion among Female Veterinarians.
Int J Occup Environ Health, 2(1), 26-36.
https://doi.org/10.1179/oeh.1996.2.1.26 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- New York State Department of Health, Division of Family Health, Disability Prevention Unit, 821 Corning Tower, Albany, NY 12237, USA.
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Marsters CM, Stafl L, Bugden S, Gustainis R, Nkunu V, Reimer R, Fletcher S, Smith S, Bruton Joe M, Hyde C, Dance E, Ruzycki SM. Pregnancy, obstetrical and neonatal outcomes in women exposed to physician-related occupational hazards: a scoping review. BMJ Open 2023 Feb 22;13(2):e064483.
- Scheftel JM, Elchos BL, Rubin CS, Decker JA. Review of hazards to female reproductive health in veterinary practice. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2017 Apr 15;250(8):862-872.
- Hall AL, Davies HW, Demers PA, Nicol AM, Peters CE. Occupational exposures to antineoplastic drugs and ionizing radiation in Canadian veterinary settings: findings from a national surveillance project. Can J Public Health 2013 Nov 1;104(7):e460-5.
- Fucic A, Merlo DF, Ceppi M, Lucas JN. Spontaneous abortions in female populations occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2008 Jul;81(7):873-9.
- Nienhaus A, Skudlik C, Seidler A. Work-related accidents and occupational diseases in veterinarians and their staff. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2005 Apr;78(3):230-8.
- Fritschi L. Cancer in veterinarians. Occup Environ Med 2000 May;57(5):289-97.
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