Journal article
Assessing COVID-19 Pandemic Risk Perception and Response Preparedness in Veterinary and Animal Care Workers
Health security, Vol.20(2), pp.116-126
04/01/2022
DOI: 10.1089/hs.2021.0091
PMCID: PMC9081026
PMID: 35108121
Abstract
Veterinary and animal care workers perform critical functions in biosecurity and public health, yet little has been done to understand the unique needs and barriers these workers face when responding during a pandemic crisis. In this article, we evaluate the perceived risks and roles of veterinary and animal care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and explored barriers and facilitators in their readiness, ability, and willingness to respond during a pandemic. We deployed a survey targeting US veterinary medical personnel, animal shelter and control workers, zoo and wildlife workers, and other animal care workers. Data were collected on respondents' self-reported job and demographic factors, perceptions of risk and job efficacy, and readiness, ability, and willingness to respond during the pandemic. We found that leadership roles and older age had the strongest association with decreased perceived risk and improved job efficacy and confidence, and that increased reported contact level with others (both coworkers and the public) was associated with increased perceived risk. We determined that older age and serving in leadership positions were associated with improved readiness, willingness, and ability to respond. Veterinary and animal care workers' dedication to public health response, reflected in our findings, will be imperative if more zoonotic vectors of SARS-CoV-2 arise. Response preparedness in veterinary and animal care workers can be improved by targeting younger workers not in leadership roles through support programs that focus on improving job efficacy and confidence in safety protocols. These findings can be used to target intervention and training efforts to support the most vulnerable within this critical, yet often overlooked, workforce.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Assessing COVID-19 Pandemic Risk Perception and Response Preparedness in Veterinary and Animal Care Workers
- Creators
- Kathryn R. Dalton - Johns Hopkins UniversityKimberly M. Guyer - Johns Hopkins UniversityFrancesca Schiaffino - Universidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaCusi Ferradas - Universidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaJacqueline R. Falke - Johns Hopkins UniversityErin A. Beasley - Johns Hopkins UniversityKayla Meza - Johns Hopkins UniversityPaige Laughlin - Johns Hopkins UniversityJacqueline Agnew - Johns Hopkins UniversityDaniel J. Barnett - Johns Hopkins UniversityJennifer B. Nuzzo - Johns Hopkins Center for Health SecurityMeghan F. Davis - Johns Hopkins University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Health security, Vol.20(2), pp.116-126
- Publisher
- Mary Ann Liebert, Inc
- DOI
- 10.1089/hs.2021.0091
- PMID
- 35108121
- PMCID
- PMC9081026
- ISSN
- 2326-5094
- eISSN
- 2326-5108
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; United States Department of Health & Human Services; Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA K01OD019918 / National Institutes of Health; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA D43TW009343 / Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH Fogarty International Center (FIC) University of California Global Health Institute 02525-E / American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation Clinician Scientist Fellowship T42 OH0008428 / National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; United States Department of Health & Human Services; Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA; National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/01/2022
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984701721202771
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