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Table 3 Significant univariable associations between outcomes related to animal husbandry and infection control practices and risk factors reported by pet-owning households (Ontario, Canada)

From: Pet husbandry and infection control practices related to zoonotic disease risks in Ontario, Canada

Outcome (species)1

All children < 5 yrs (Exposed; N)2

All children ≥ 5 yrs (Unexposed; N)2

Risk Exposed

Risk Unexposed

Odds Ratio3

95% CI3

P -value3

Any children have access to the litter boxes (cat)

 

4

40

25.0%

78.4%

0.1

0.02-0.4

0.0004

Any children clean up feces (cat)

 

0

18

0%

35.3%

0.07*

0-0.5

0.002

Any children touch pet (cat)

 

13

52

72.2%

100%

0.04*

0-0.3

0.001

Never sleep in children’s bed (cat)

 

10

14

83.3%

26.9%

12.9

2.4-135.9

0.001

Any children clean-up feces (dog)

 

0

28

0%

36.8%

0.05*

0-0.3

0.0002

Ever lick children’s face (dog)

 

20

45

87.0%

61.6%

4.1

1.1-23.5

0.04

Outcome (species) 1

Higher Risk Member (Exposed; N) 4

No Higher Risk Member (Unexposed; N) 4

Risk Exposed

Risk Unexposed

Odds Ratio 3

95% CI 3

P -value 3

Within past 3 months, any off leash at a dog park (dog)

 

15

29

12.3%

25.2%

0.4

0.2-0.9

0.02

Household very attached (dog)

 

106

109

88.3%

97.3%

0.2

0.04-0.8

0.01

Dump aquarium water in bathtub, shower, kitchen sink, or bathroom sink (fish)

 

6

12

25.0%

60.0%

0.2

0.05-0.9

0.04

Household very attached (bird)

 

6

0

54.6%

0%

11.5*

1.3-Inf

0.02

  1. 1Univariable exact logistic regression used to model the likelihood of each husbandry and infection control outcome as a function of selected risk factors (all children < 5 yrs; higher risk member in household). Each row represents a separate regression model.
  2. 2Performed for children-specific outcomes. Comparison between households with all children < 5 yrs (exposed) and households with all children ≥ 5 yrs (unexposed).
  3. 3Odds ratio, 95% confidence interval of the odds ratio (95% CI), and P-value computed using exact logistic regression.
  4. 4Comparision between households with ≥ 1 higher risk members [i.e., < 5 yrs, ≥ 65 yrs, ever diagnosed with an immunocompromising condition (exposed)] and households without higher risk members (unexposed).
  5. *Median unbiased estimate computed since odds ratio calculated to be infinite.