Risk factors for leptospirosis seropositivity in slaughterhouse workers in western Kenya
研究了肯尼亚西部屠宰场工人钩端螺旋体病血清阳性的风险因素，发现伤口、吸烟、工作时进食、清理内脏等行为增加感染风险，而宰前检查和穿戴防护围裙有保护作用。
<h3>Objectives</h3> Leptospirosis has been documented in slaughterhouse workers around the world. Risk factors include smoking and drinking at work, and performing tasks such as cleaning offal. This paper examined risk factors for leptospirosis seropositivity in slaughterhouse workers in western Kenya. <h3>Methods</h3> The study was conducted between May 2011 and October 2012. Questionnaires were used to collect information from workers on demographic data, health and hygiene practices in the slaughterhouse. A commercial ELISA detected antibodies to <i>Leptospira</i> spp. in serum samples and multilevel logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with leptospirosis seropositivity. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 737 workers from 142 slaughterhouses were recruited. The seroprevalence of antibodies to <i>Leptospira</i> spp. was 13.4% (95% CI 11.1% to 16.1%). Risk factors included: having wounds (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.5 to 6.1); smoking (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.9); eating at work (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2 to 3.6); cleaning the offal (OR 5.1; 95% CI 1.8 to 15.0); and having a borehole for personal water use (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 4.7). At the slaughterhouse level, risk factors included having a roof (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.2 to 5.6) and drawing water from a well (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2 to 4.0). Protective factors included working in slaughterhouses where antemortem inspection was conducted (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4 to 1.0) and where workers wore protective aprons (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.2 to 0.7). <h3>Conclusions</h3> This is the first report of leptospirosis seropositivity in slaughterhouse workers in Kenya. Potential risk factors were identified and this information can be used to educate workers regarding their disease risks and ways to prevent or reduce transmission.