Frössling Jenny, Nöremark Maria
Department of Animal Environment and HealthSLUSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesBox 234SkaraSE-532 23Sweden.
Department of Disease Control and EpidemiologySVANational Veterinary InstituteUppsalaSE-751 89Sweden.
Vet Med Sci. 2016 Jan 11;2(1):54-68. doi: 10.1002/vms3.20. eCollection 2016 Feb.
Although farm biosecurity reduces the risk of disease spread among livestock, this knowledge is not always applied. Farmers' application of disease preventive measures is expected to depend on many things, e.g. whether they consider disease prevention possible and demographic factors. In this study, Swedish livestock farmers' perspectives on occurrence, control and communication related to infectious livestock diseases were investigated. A questionnaire study was performed in 2012-2013, and included responses from almost 2000 livestock farmers with cattle, pigs, sheep or goats. Associations between responses and factors related to herd type and demography were investigated using multivariable regression models. Results showed a strong general agreement among farmers that disease prevention is important. However, results also showed differing opinions among farmers. For example, female farmers indicated higher levels of perceived knowledge of disease spread and a stronger belief that they can prevent disease introduction. Results indicate that farmers who believe they have the necessary knowledge, have stronger sense of control and also demand that others take responsibility to prevent spread. Furthermore, dairy farmers were more likely to respond that repeated exposure to infections could be beneficial for animal health. The number of perceived disease outbreaks was also higher among these farmers. Regarding government issued compensation to farmers in case of outbreaks, a wide range of opinions were recorded. Responses confirm that the farm veterinarian is an important source of disease information and several different communication channels are needed to reach farmers. In conclusion, our results show that factors such as gender, education level and age influence how prevention and occurrence of disease outbreaks are perceived and best communicated. We suggest that efforts are made to increase knowledge about disease prevention among farmers and veterinary practitioners and that farm veterinarians should be encouraged to motivate farmers to strengthen farm biosecurity.
尽管农场生物安全措施可降低牲畜间疾病传播的风险，但这一知识并非总能得到应用。农民对疾病预防措施的应用预计取决于多种因素，例如他们是否认为疾病预防可行以及人口统计学因素等。在本研究中，调查了瑞典牲畜养殖户对传染性牲畜疾病的发生、控制及信息交流的看法。2012年至2013年进行了一项问卷调查研究，收集了近2000名养殖牛、猪、羊或山羊的牲畜养殖户的回复。使用多变量回归模型研究了回复与畜群类型和人口统计学相关因素之间的关联。结果显示，养殖户普遍强烈认同疾病预防很重要。然而，结果也显示出养殖户之间存在不同意见。例如，女性养殖户表示对疾病传播的认知水平较高，并且更坚信自己能够预防疾病传入。结果表明，那些认为自己具备必要知识、有更强控制感且要求他人承担预防传播责任的养殖户。此外，奶牛养殖户更有可能认为反复接触感染可能对动物健康有益。这些养殖户察觉到的疾病暴发次数也更高。关于政府在疾病暴发时向养殖户发放补偿的问题，记录了广泛的意见。回复证实农场兽医是疾病信息的重要来源，并且需要多种不同的沟通渠道来联系养殖户。总之，我们的结果表明，性别、教育水平和年龄等因素会影响对疾病暴发预防和发生的认知以及最佳的信息传播方式。我们建议努力提高养殖户和兽医从业者对疾病预防的认识，并鼓励农场兽医激励养殖户加强农场生物安全。
