In Japan the highest use of veterinary antimicrobials is in pig production. To obtain
useful information to achieve the best approach to reducing this use, we analyzed the
association between the level of on-farm biosecurity and animal welfare with the level of
antimicrobial use as recorded on prescriptions on 38 pig farms under contract to
veterinarians of the Japanese Association of Swine Veterinarians. To determine the level
of welfare we recorded the risk of pre- and post-weaning deaths and the floor space
available per fattening pig (m2/head). Multivariable linear regression analysis
was performed, using biosecurity scores and animal welfare indicators as independent
variables and the amount of antimicrobial usage as dependent variables. The results showed
that the higher scores for the site condition (location) and external biosecurity scores
of the sub-categories ‘farm contractors’ were strongly associated with the lower use of
oral antimicrobials (P<0.05). This suggests that in order to reduce
the usage of antimicrobials for herd treatments, farmers should consider the location when
building a new farm or pig house and strengthen the entrance requirements for high risk
visitors. Regression analysis for the respective antimicrobials showed that the site
condition, the biosecurity scores of the sub-categories ‘farm contractors’, ‘pen layouts’
(e.g. independence of pens and sites), ‘pig flows’ (e.g. the completeness of all-in/
all-out system) and an animal welfare indicator (i.e. post-weaning mortality risk) were
significantly associated with the use of one or more antimicrobials
(P<0.05).
SummaryAntimicrobial resistance resulting from imprudent use of antimicrobials is an increasing problem in both human and veterinary medicine. In many countries including Japan, pig production sector is the largest antimicrobial user amongst livestock sectors. It is therefore important to clarify the perception factors affecting the intention to reduce the antimicrobial usage in pig farmers and their advisory veterinarians. We conducted a survey targeting pig farmers (n=105) and veterinarians (n=28) using questionnaires. The farmers' questionnaire was composed of 19 questions assessing the perceived benefits, need and risks of antimicrobial use ; intention to reduce the antimicrobial usage ; capability of reduction and relationship between advisory veterinarian, while veterinarians' questionnaire included 17 questions assessing the perceived benefits, need and risks of antimicrobial usage ; the prescription attitudes ; capability of reduction ; the perceived farmers' capability, prescription pressure and mutual trust with farmers. The results showed that farmers' higher perceived risks and higher reduction capability were strongly associated with higher intentions to reduce antimicrobial usage. The perceived benefits and their years of experience were the mutual factors affecting both farmers' intention to reduce and veterinarians' prescription attitudes to reduce antimicrobial usage. We concluded that further enlightenment targeting pig farmers on the public health risks and alternative measures are most effective to promote prudent use of antimicrobials.
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