TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2000//
TI  - An epidemiologic study of dog bites among postmen in central Taiwan
JO  - Changgeng Yi Xue (2000)
A1  - Chen, Shyr-Chyr
A1  - Tang, F. C.
A1  - Lee, H. S.
A1  - Lee, Charles Tzu-Chi
A1  - Yen, C. H.
A1  - Lee, M. C.
SP  - 277
EP  - 283
VL  - 23
IS  - 5
N2  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the occupational hazard of dog bites among postmen. METHODS: Data were collected from postmen working for 9 post offices in central Taiwan using the postmen's 1994 annual health examinations. Of 237 eligible postmen, 192 postmen (81.0%), including 183 men and 9 women, participated in this study. Detailed personal and occupational information and experiences of dog bites during a 3-year period (1991 to 1994) were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Baseline variables and occupational data were examined as risk factors for the dog bites among the postmen using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: We found that, during the 3-year period of study, 71.4% (137/192) of the postmen had had the experience of dog bites. Only 48.9% (67/137) had sought medical attention after a dog bite injury. There was also a regional difference among postmen experiencing dog bites. After controlling multiple variables, there was a 2.70-fold increase in risk of having dog bite accidents among postmen who worked in rural areas compared with those who worked in urban areas (95% confidence interval, 1.39 to 5.25). CONCLUSION: Dog bites are a common occupational hazard for postmen. The incidence of dog bites among postmen is higher than the reported rates among general populations. There is a need to develop an effective prevention strategy to reduce the occurrence of dog bites among postmen. We also emphasize the importance of seeking adequate medical treatment after a dog bite injury.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0225-8270
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -