From scratches to smashes : examining species-specific injuries from wild animal encounters and their medical impact : a systematic literature review
Girardi, Myriam (2025)
2025
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025100225514
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025100225514
Tiivistelmä
Wild animal-related injuries refer to harm caused to humans by untamed animals. They represent an emerging global health concern, as a consequence of increased human-wildlife interactions driven by urban encroachment, deforestation, and climate change. These injuries vary extensively in type, severity, and complexity, depending on the geographical area in which they occur and the animal species involved.
The thesis aimed to explore animal species and injury patterns associated with human-wildlife contacts, with the ultimate goal of enhancing nursing knowledge and informing more effective nursing interventions to ameliorate patient outcomes.
The structure and methodology of a systematic literature review were followed in the thesis. Data were scrutinized according to both thematic analysis and meta-analysis approaches to ensure a comprehensive and accurate exploration of the existing evidence. The methodological framework facilitated the identification of recurrent themes and quantifiable trends across diverse studies.
The findings indicate that wild animal-related injuries occur worldwide and are associated with a wide range of animal species across all major animal classes. These injuries pose compelling clinical challenges, including complex traumas, wounds, and fractures. Furthermore, they may lead to long-term complications and psychological distress.
The evidence underscores the critical importance of education and further research in addressing the health implications of wild animal-related injuries. Enhancing knowledge and preparedness among healthcare professionals, particularly in nursing, is essential to mitigating the public health burden associated with dangerous human-wildlife interactions.
The thesis aimed to explore animal species and injury patterns associated with human-wildlife contacts, with the ultimate goal of enhancing nursing knowledge and informing more effective nursing interventions to ameliorate patient outcomes.
The structure and methodology of a systematic literature review were followed in the thesis. Data were scrutinized according to both thematic analysis and meta-analysis approaches to ensure a comprehensive and accurate exploration of the existing evidence. The methodological framework facilitated the identification of recurrent themes and quantifiable trends across diverse studies.
The findings indicate that wild animal-related injuries occur worldwide and are associated with a wide range of animal species across all major animal classes. These injuries pose compelling clinical challenges, including complex traumas, wounds, and fractures. Furthermore, they may lead to long-term complications and psychological distress.
The evidence underscores the critical importance of education and further research in addressing the health implications of wild animal-related injuries. Enhancing knowledge and preparedness among healthcare professionals, particularly in nursing, is essential to mitigating the public health burden associated with dangerous human-wildlife interactions.