The DOI matches its Crossref record; 47 of the 47 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Household knowledge, attitudes and practices related to pet contact and associated zoonoses in Ontario, Canada
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Many human infections are transmitted through contact with animals (zoonoses), including household pets. Although pet ownership is common in most countries and non-pet owners may have frequent contact with pets, there is limited knowledge of the public's pet contact practices and awareness of zoonotic disease risks from pets. The objective of this study was to characterize the general public's knowledge, attitudes and risks related to pet ownership and animal contact in southern Ontario, Canada. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to individuals at two multi-physician clinics in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada during 2010. A single adult from each household was invited to participate in the study. RESULTS: Seventy five percent (641/853) of individuals approached completed the questionnaire. Pet ownership and contact were common; 64% of participants had a pet in their household and 37% of non-pet owning households had a member with at least weekly animal contact outside the home. Pet ownership was high (55%) for households with individuals at higher risk for infections (i.e., < 5 yrs, ≥ 65 yrs, immunocompromised). Most respondents (64%) indicated that they had never received information regarding pet-associated disease risks. When given a list of 11 infectious pathogens, respondents were only able to correctly classify just over half on their potential to be transmitted from pets to people (mean 6.4); independently, pet owners and those who recalled receiving information in the past about this topic were able to make significantly more correct identifications. Pet (36%) and non-pet owning households (10%) reported dog or cat bites or scratches during the preceding year. Households with individuals at higher risk for an infection did not differ from the remaining households regarding their perceived disease risk of pets, zoonotic disease knowledge, recall of being asked by their medical provider if they owned any pets, or recall of having received information regarding pet-associated disease risks and preventive measures. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that there is a need for accessible zoonotic disease information for both pet and non-owning households, with additional efforts made by veterinary, human and public health personnel. Immediate educational efforts directed toward households with individuals at higher risk to infections are especially needed.
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“close, intimate interactions with pets (e.g., sleeping in beds with owners, face licking) are common. 1,2”
From Reducing the risk of pet-associated zoonotic infections (2015) · cites this paper as [1]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“One large, regional survey reported more than 75% of households having contact with a pet, 1”
From Reducing the risk of pet-associated zoonotic infections (2015) · cites this paper as [1]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
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“Additional surveys suggest that the general public and people at high risk for pet-associated disease are not aware of the risks associated with highrisk pet practices or recommendations to reduce them”
From Reducing the risk of pet-associated zoonotic infections (2015) · cites this paper as [1]
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“Patient surveys and epidemiologic studies on the topic suggest that the occurrence of pet associated disease is low overall. 1,8”
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“studies suggest physicians do not regularly ask about pet contact, nor do they discuss the risks of zoonotic diseases with patients, regardless of the patient's immune status. 1,3,4”
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“77% of households that obtained a new pet following a cancer diagnosis acquired a high-risk pet. 1,3”
From Reducing the risk of pet-associated zoonotic infections (2015) · cites this paper as [1]
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Self-citation
Metadata
- Authors
- Stull, J. W., Peregrine, A. S., Sargeant, J. M., & Weese, J. S.
- Affiliations
- Ontario Veterinary College (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Stull, Jason W
- Venue
- BMC Public Health
- Published
- 2012-07-25
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 553-553
- ISSN
- 1471-2458 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3489606
- OpenAlex
- W2121289164
- Cited by
- 118
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 8.65
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- BMC Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- IslandScholar (University of Prince Edward Island) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- University of Guelph
- McMaster University
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Infection Control in Healthcare
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
- Keywords
- zoonoses, household pets, pet ownership, human-animal contact, disease risk perception, immunocompromised patients, health education, Ontario
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Animals, Attitude to Health, Cats, Child, Child, Preschool, Dogs, Family Characteristics, Female, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Middle Aged, Ontario, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Zoonoses, Young Adult, Pets
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