Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to pet contact by immunocompromised children with cancer and immunocompetent children with diabetes
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| Category | Journal Articles |
|---|---|
| Abstract |
ObjectiveTo compare knowledge, attitudes, and risks related to pet contact in households with and without immunocompromised children. Study designA questionnaire was distributed to parents of children diagnosed with cancer (immunocompromised; n = 80) or diabetes (immunocompetent; n = 251) receiving care at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Information was collected on knowledge of pets as sources of disease, concerns regarding pet-derived pathogens, and pet ownership practices. Data were analyzed with multivariable logistic regression. ResultsThe questionnaire was completed by 65% (214 of 331) of the individuals to whom it was given. Pet ownership was common; 45% of respondents had a household pet when their child was diagnosed, and many (households with a child with diabetes, 49%; households with a child with cancer, 20%) acquired a new pet after diagnosis. Most households that obtained a new pet had acquired a pet considered high risk for infectious disease based on species/age (diabetes, 73%; cancer, 77%). Parents of children with cancer were more likely than parents of children with diabetes to recall being asked by a physician/staff member if they owned a pet (OR, 5.9) or to recall receiving zoonotic disease information (OR, 5.3), yet these interactions were reported uncommonly (diabetes, ≤13%; cancer, ≤48%). Greater knowledge of pet-associated pathogens was associated with recalled receipt of previous education on this topic (OR, 3.9). Pet exposure outside the home was reported frequently for children in non–pet-owning households (diabetes, 48%; cancer, 25%). ConclusionImproved zoonotic disease education is needed for pet-owning and non–pet-owning households with immunocompromised children, with ongoing provision of information while the children are at increased risk of disease. Additional efforts from pediatric and veterinary healthcare professionals are required. |
| Date | 2014 |
| Publication Title | Journal of pediatrics |
| Volume | 165 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 348-355 e2 |
| ISBN/ISSN | 1097-6833 (Electronic)0022-3476 (Linking) |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.jpeds.2014.04.045 |
| URL | https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(14)00403-X/fulltext |
| Language | English |
| Author Address | Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Center for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: Jason.Stull@cvm.osu.edu.Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.Center for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Center for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. |
| Additional Language | English |
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