Evaluation of UK sheep farmers’ attitudes and behaviours towards sustainable roundworm control
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Date
30/06/2018Author
Jack, Corin Malcolm
Metadata
Abstract
One of the major constraints limiting the efficiency of sheep production is the control
of gastrointestinal nematode parasites. Parasite control by strategic use of
anthelmintics is threatened by the emergence of nematode populations that are
resistant to the drugs available. It is therefore increasingly apparent that steps toward
maintaining sustainable productivity in the growing face of anthelmintic resistance
(AR) is required by farmers. To facilitate the uptake of sustainable approaches to
parasite management, a comprehensive understanding of the various factors that may
influence farmers’ decision-making processes is required.
In order to establish which factors are influential, and determine their impact on
farmers’ roundworm control behaviours, both qualitative and quantitative research
methods were used including focus groups as well as attitudinal and behavioural
questionnaires.
A retrospective analysis was initially conducted of historical surveys designed to
identify farm specific characteristics and parasite management practices including
anthelmintic usage. The objectives of the analysis were to identify factors associated
with uptake of best practice advice including farm characteristics and information
sourcing. In addition, the implementation of sustainable roundworm control practices
was investigated using two surveys conducted in 2000 and 2010. Logistic regression
models were applied for univariable and multivariable analysis of dependent and
independent variables.
The next step was to conduct a series of focus groups in different geographic regions
of Scotland. The main purposes were to explore sheep farmers’ attitudes towards
different aspects of roundworm management, as well as to identify potential
motivators and barriers to uptake of sustainable parasite control practices. The findings
aided in the development of an attitudinal questionnaire used to canvass opinions
representative on a national level.
The concluding study involved a telephone survey of 400 Scottish sheep farmers,
designed to elicit attitudes regarding roundworm control, AR and sustainable
roundworm control practices. A quantitative statistical analysis technique (Structural
Equation Modelling) was then used to test the relationships between socio-psychological
factors and the uptake of sustainable roundworm control practices.
The analysis of historical questionnaire data demonstrated evidence of a shift towards
the use of practices to reduce the rate of AR development, most notably a decline in
the practice of ‘dose and move’ as well as an overall reduction in treatment frequency.
Statistical analysis identified significant associations between farm characteristics and
specific treatment strategies. For example, larger farms were more likely to adopt a set
treatment regimen (P=0.036), compared with smaller farms, which were more likely
to treat based on clinical signs of infection (P=0.021). Sourcing of roundworm control
information primarily from veterinarians was most associated with treatment timings
with no parallels between time points.
From the qualitative focus group studies conducted we identified four overarching
themes impacting on sheep producers’ attitudes to roundworm control and best
practice advice. These themes comprised: a lack of perceived need to change, the
complexity of advice, the ease of implementation of recommended practices and the
effectiveness of extension approaches. Additionally, the most important and
implementable guidelines identified by sheep farmers were: ‘working out a
roundworm control strategy with an advisor’ and ‘administering anthelmintics
effectively’ with regard to correct drenching practice i.e. appropriate dosing,
administration and drug storage procedures. These findings exhibited similarities with
veterinarians’ rankings with also, ‘testing for AR’, ‘preserving susceptible parasites’
and ‘reducing dependence on anthelmintics’ receiving the lowest rankings for
importance and implementability.
The quantitative analysis from the attitudinal/behavioural questionnaire identified
eleven factors with significant influences on the adoption of sustainable roundworm
control practices. The key influences on overall adoption were farmers’ baseline
understanding about roundworm control and self-reported confirmation of
anthelmintic resistance in their flock. Additional positive influences included, positive
attitudes to veterinary services, enterprise type and perceived risk of AR. Factors that
were shown to have the greatest relative effects on individual parasite control practices
included; the perceived resource requirements for implementing a quarantine strategy,
farmers’ AR suspicions for instigating AR testing and the confirmation of AR for
adopting faecal egg count monitoring.
The findings have highlighted several factors which can influence sheep farmers’
decisions to reject or adopt recommended roundworm control practices. It is evident
that the perceived complexity, lack of need and practicality of the current
recommendations necessitates changes to how extension is designed and disseminated
to farmers. The findings also suggest that improving farmers’ acceptance and uptake
of diagnostic testing and improving underlying knowledge and awareness about
nematode control is a significant target to influencing adoption of best practice
behaviours. The importance of veterinarians as highly-trusted information resources
validates the need for further engagement with veterinarians concerning sustainable
parasite control approaches, to facilitate collaboration with farmers. The need for
interaction between farmers and their advisors is key to resolving the issues raised to
enable the necessary explanation, justification and execution of recommended
practices to suit farmers’ needs and farming conditions.