**Author details**

Marina Oțelea

a proactive participation of the line and human resource management. Of course, there are some universally interventions for mental health [167], but they should be aligned

**3.** *Proper preparation and communication inside the company*: Ideally, some representatives of the beneficiaries should be involved in preparation of the intervention, for present‐ ing their needs and for choosing from different possibilities of implementation the best suited for them. Communication of the aim, the means and the expected results is neces‐ sary before, during and after the intervention. It is reasonable to consider that employ‐ ees are in different stages of motivation for change. Therefore, stage‐based intervention for non‐intenders, intenders and actors (people who have already taken action towards changing behaviour) could be more effective [169, 170]. Barriers to adherence and com‐

pletion of the programme are better solved in a participatory approach [171].

**4.** *Adapted tools*: There is no one solution for all organizations. For some, the online sup‐ port is possible and is part of their working culture; in other organizations, group or individual discussions are more effective. Computer‐based interventions have a better reach, particularly in larger organizations. A Cochrane systematic review on interactive computer‐based interventions for weight loss or weight maintenance in overweight or obese people found that such interventions significantly reduced body weight [172]. Combined systems with face‐to‐face and computer/telephone interactions are also used.

**5.** *Team work*, from the first steps of design until results evaluation. Nobody can expect that a transformational change can be proposed and delivered solely by the occupational physician, but it is desirable that he is an active member of the team [173]; psychologists, ergonomists, nutritionists, exercise trainers, IT and communication specialists, etc. are needed, according to the scope of the inter‐ vention. Concerning risk reduction of the metabolic risk, nutrition is a tradi‐ tional risk factor for insulin resistance and trained dieticians should be involved. Nutrition knowledge make people less likely to be hypertensive compared to one with low level of healthy nutrition [174] and when combined with a physical activity programmes [175], and facilitated access to healthy food, become more effective [176]. Workplaces are excellent settings for health promotion programmes, joining all these

The minimum requirements for a health issue to become an occupational medicine subject are a proven relation with the working conditions, and a benefit from a working place interven‐ tion. This chapter had provided arguments that insulin resistance has both characteristics. It has, however, a specificity, that in some countries had brought benefits for including it in the occupational services and in others have been an obstacle: insulin resistance shares both ele‐

conditions together, if there is managerial commitment and support.

ments of the classical health protection and of the health promotion activities.

**5. Conclusions**

124 Occupational Health

with other managerial and organizational initiatives [168].

Address all correspondence to: dr.marinaotelea@gmail.com

Clinical Department 2, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila", Bucharest, Romania

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#### **Epidemiology of Needlestick and Sharps Injuries in Veterinary Medicine Epidemiology of Needlestick and Sharps Injuries in Veterinary Medicine**

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Additional information is available at the end of the chapter Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/66110

#### **Abstract**

Needlestick injuries (NSIs) are a serious concern for veterinary practitioners as well as other healthcare personnel. During practice, veterinarians are exposed to various risky situations in which NSI and sharps injuries seem to be a common occupational hazard. Studies on prevalence and occurrence of NSI in veterinary medicine are scarce and probably underreported. One important consequence is the physical trauma. However, other factors related to their economic or psychiatric impact should also be considered. The studies available about NSI in veterinarians reported different prevalence, ranging from 1 % to 86.7 %, although their comparison is difficult since prevalence is calculated from different data sources. Various risk factors of NSI (such as years as veterinarians, number of work hours, poor quality of restraint of animals, poor needle handling practices, among others) have been described. However, information regarding risk factors in veterinary medicine is scarce. In order to understand the epidemiology of NSI in veterinarians, a review of the literature published in the last four decades (1980–2016) is presented. Thus, the current chapter will address several characteristics of NSI in veterinary medicine as occurrence, prevalence and incidence risk factors, consequences and preventive measures.

**Keywords:** needlestick, sharps, injury, epidemiology, risk factor, prevalence
