Schulze-Geisthövel Sophia Veronika, Tappe Elisa-Valerie, Schmithausen Ricarda Maria, Lepkojis Jan, Röttgen Katharina, Petersen Brigitte
Institute of Animal Science, Preventive Health Management Group, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany;
Institute of Animal Science, Preventive Health Management Group, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Infect Ecol Epidemiol. 2016 Feb 3;6:29817. doi: 10.3402/iee.v6.29817. eCollection 2016.
The danger surrounding methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been well known for decades. Although MRSA was initially only associated with hospitals, livestock-associated MRSA is being increasingly connected to the way food-supplying animals are treated. However, little is yet known about farmers' risk awareness and their knowledge of MRSA. Hence, the goal of this study was to discover farmers' perceptions of MRSA.
Two successive studies were performed. Study I analysed the connection between the attitudes of cattle and pig farmers towards MRSA complications and characteristics such as age and vocational training. Study II dealt with the connection between contact frequency with livestock and the risk of MRSA colonisation.
For Study I, 101 questionnaires were completed. Analysis showed that the participants' education level (p=0.042, α=0.05) and the animal species kept on their farm (p=0.045, α=0.05) significantly influenced their perceptions. Screening results from 157 participants within Study II showed that contact frequency and the participants' particular profession were significantly decisive for MRSA prevalence (contact frequency: p=0.000, professional branch: p=0.000, OR=11.966, α=0.05).
The results show a high degree of risk consciousness and responsibility among farmers. However, it is assumed that most farmers who took part in the studies were interested parties. Thus, the study results are valid only for the chosen livestock holdings. Ultimately, educational work is still needed. Joint projects between economics and science offer a good platform to spark farmers' interest in the MRSA problem, as well as to inform and enlighten them about dangers and connections. Interdisciplinary research will contribute to a better understanding of drug resistance and to reducing the long-term use of antibiotics.
耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）带来的危险数十年来已广为人知。尽管MRSA最初仅与医院相关，但与牲畜相关的MRSA越来越多地与供应食品的动物的饲养方式联系在一起。然而，关于农民对MRSA的风险意识及其相关知识，目前所知甚少。因此，本研究的目的是了解农民对MRSA的看法。
进行了两项连续的研究。研究I分析了养牛和养猪农民对MRSA并发症的态度与年龄和职业培训等特征之间的联系。研究II探讨了与牲畜接触频率和MRSA定植风险之间的联系。
研究I共完成了101份问卷。分析表明，参与者的教育水平（p = 0.042，α = 0.05）和其农场饲养的动物种类（p = 0.045，α = 0.05）对他们的看法有显著影响。研究II中157名参与者的筛查结果显示，接触频率和参与者的特定职业对MRSA流行率具有显著决定性（接触频率：p = 0.000，专业分支：p = 0.000，OR = 11.966，α = 0.05）。
结果表明农民具有高度的风险意识和责任感。然而，据推测，参与研究的大多数农民都是相关利益方。因此，研究结果仅对所选的牲畜养殖场有效。最终，仍然需要开展教育工作。经济与科学之间的联合项目提供了一个良好的平台，既能激发农民对MRSA问题的兴趣，又能让他们了解相关危险和联系。跨学科研究将有助于更好地理解耐药性，并减少抗生素的长期使用。
