TY - JOUR T1 - 384 The risk business of being an entomologist: a systematic review JF - Occupational and Environmental Medicine JO - Occup Environ Med SP - A55 LP - A55 DO - 10.1136/oemed-2018-ICOHabstracts.157 VL - 75 IS - Suppl 2 AU - Jessica Stanhope AU - Scott Carver AU - Philip Weinstein Y1 - 2018/04/01 UR - http://oem.bmj.com/content/75/Suppl_2/A55.2.abstract N2 - Introduction Adverse work-related health outcomes are a significant problem worldwide. Entomologists, including arthropod breeders, are a unique occupational group exposed to potentially harmful arthropods, pesticides, and other more generic hazards. These exposures may place entomologists at risk of a range of adverse work-related health outcomes.1 We sought to determine which adverse work-related health outcomes entomologists have experienced, the incidence and prevalence of these outcomes, and what occupational management strategies have been employed by entomologists, and their effectiveness.Methods A systematic search of eight databases was undertaken to identify studies informing the review objectives. Data pertaining to country, year, design, work-exposure, adverse work-related health outcomes, incidence or prevalence of these outcomes, and occupational management strategies were extracted, and reported descriptively.Result Results showed entomologists experienced work-related allergies, venom reactions, infections, infestations and delusional parasitosis. These related to exposure to insects, arachnids, chilopods and entognathans, and non-arthropod exposures, e.g. arthropod feed. Few studies reported the incidence or prevalence of such conditions, or work-related management strategies utilised by entomologists. There were no studies that specifically investigated the effectiveness of potential management strategies for entomologists as a population. Critical appraisal indicated poor research quality in this area.Discussion Entomologists are a diverse, unique occupational group, at risk of a range of adverse work-related health outcomes. This study represents the first systematic review of their work-related health risks. Future studies investigating the prevalence of adverse work-related health outcomes for entomologists, and the effectiveness of management strategies are warranted to decrease the disease burden of this otherwise understudied group.Reference. Stanhope J, Carver S, Weinstein, P. The risky business of being an entomologist: A systematic review. Environmental Research2015;140:619–633. ER -