Multivariate analyses of risk factors associated with laboratory exposure incidents

Thumbnail image

Download files

DOI

https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i78a06

Language of the publication
English
Date
2022
Type
Accepted manuscript
Author(s)
  • El Jaouhari, Maryem
  • Atchessi, Nicole
  • Edjoc, Rojiemiahd
  • Striha, Megan
  • Bonti-Ankomah, Samuel
Publisher
The Public Health Agency of Canada

Abstract

Background: Laboratories involved in the study of pathogenic biological agents pose an inherent risk of exposure to the laboratory workforce and the community. Laboratory biosafety and biosecurity activities are fundamental in minimizing the likelihood of unintentional exposure incidents. The objective of this study is to describe the factors that are associated with the occurrence of exposure incidents in a laboratory setting through a predictive model. Methods: The Laboratory Incident Notification Canada is a nationally mandated surveillance system that gathers real-time data from submitted reports of laboratory incidents involving human pathogens and toxins. Data on laboratory exposure incidents were extracted from the system between 2016 and 2020. The occurrence of exposure incidents per month was modelled using a Poisson regression with several potential risk factors, including seasonality, sector, occurrence type, root causes, role and education of people exposed and years of laboratory experience. A stepwise selection method was used to develop a parsimonious model with consideration of the significant risk factors identified in the literature. Results: After controlling for other variables in the model, it was found that 1) for each human interaction related root cause, the monthly number of exposure incidents was expected to be 1.11 times higher compared to the number of incidents without human interaction (p=0.0017) as a root cause and 2) for each standard operating procedure-related root cause, the monthly number of exposure incidents was expected to be 1.13 times higher compared to the number of incidents without a standard operating procedure related root cause (p=0.0010). Conclusion: Laboratory biosafety and biosecurity activities should target these risk factors to reduce the occurrence of exposure incidents. Qualitative studies are needed to provide better reasoning for the association of these risk factors with the occurrence of exposure incidents.

Subject

  • Health

Keywords

  • laboratory exposures,
  • laboratory-acquired infections,
  • risk factor,
  • human pathogens and toxins

Rights

Pagination

350-355

Peer review

Yes

Open access level

Identifiers

ISSN
1481-8531

Article

Journal title
Canada Communicable Disease Report
Journal volume
48
Journal issue
7/8

Citation(s)

El Jaouhari M, Atchessi N, Edjoc R, Striha M, Bonti-Ankomah S. Multivariate analyses of risk factors associated with laboratory exposure incidents. Can Commun Dis Rep 2022;48(7/8):350–5. https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i78a06

Download(s)

URI

Collection(s)

Communicable diseases

Full item page

Full item page

Page details

Date modified: