Author:
Dalton Kathryn R.,Guyer Kimberly M.,Schiaffino Francesca,Ferradas Cusi,Falke Jacqueline R.,Beasley Erin A.,Meza Kayla,Laughlin Paige,Agnew Jacqueline,Barnett Daniel J.,Nuzzo Jennifer B.,Davis Meghan F.
Abstract
AbstractVeterinary and animal care workers (VACW) 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. This study evaluated VACWs’ perceived risks and roles during COVID-19, and explored barriers and facilitators in their readiness, ability, and willingness to respond during a pandemic. We deployed a survey targeting U.S. veterinary medical personnel, animal shelter and control workers, zoo and wildlife workers, plus other animal care workers. Data were collected on participants’ 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 co-workers 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. VACWs’ dedication to public health response, reflected in our findings, will be imperative if more zoonotic vectors of SARS-CoV-2 arise. Response preparedness in VACW can be improved by targeting younger workers not in leadership roles in support programs that center 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.
Publisher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Reference32 articles.
1. Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. COVID-19 Dashboard. https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html.
2. The veterinary profession's duty of care in response to disasters and food animal emergencies
3. Veterinary expertise in biosecurity and biological risk assessment
4. The contribution of veterinary public health to the management of the COVID-19 pandemic from a One Health perspective
5. AVMA. Veterinarians help with COVID-19 vaccine delivery. https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2021-04-15/veterinarians-help-covid-19-vaccine-delivery. Published 2021.