Attitudes towards worm egg counts and targeted selective treatment against equine cyathostomins

Abstract

Gastrointestinal nematodes present a major threat to the health and welfare of equids worldwide. Anthelmintic resistance (AR) is increasingly reported and challenges effective control in horses and ponies in many regions. The use of faecal worm egg counts (FECs) to support targeted treatment (FEC-TT) and targeted selective treatment (FEC-TST) has been promoted as an effective deworming strategy that may prolong the useful life of anthelmintics and reduce the costs associated with parasite control. However, treatment applied at set intervals or on pre-determined dates remains common. A structural equation model was developed to identify factors influencing the uptake of FEC-directed treatment strategies, based on well-established socio-psychological theories of intentional health-related behaviours: the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Health Belief Model. More than 850 valid responses were received from horse owners in the UK via an online survey. The intention to use FECs prior to deworming was not influenced by the perceived risk of anthelmintic resistance or that of gastrointestinal nematode infection but was positively influenced by a negative attitude towards anthelmintics, a positive attitude towards FECs, an increase in social pressure (e.g. significant others think the respondent should use FECs) and an increase in perceived control over their deworming programme. The results were consistent with a similar study conducted on FEC-TT in cattle in Belgium. An increase in respondents' self-perceived level of knowledge significantly increased the intention to use FECs via mediating factors. These results suggest that knowledge transfer activities aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of sustainable nematode control practices may be more effective at encouraging behaviour change than emphasising the dangers of nematodes and AR, which had limited influence on behaviour intention in this study population.

Equine de-worming: a consensus on current best practice

“…It is therefore necessary to consider in-depth the reasons why people are behaving in a certain way, in order to help them to change their behaviour. We know from surveys of horse owners that they are interested in de-worming (Stratford et al, 2014b), but these surveys also corroborate more general human behaviour studies in confirming that social norms are a more powerful influence than professional advice; horse owners are more likely to do what everyone else on the yard does than what the veterinary surgeon advises them to do (Stratford et al, 2014b;Easton et al, 2016;Rose Vineer et al, 2017). Anthelmintics are available from a variety of outlets and, contrary to guidelines, are often sold without investigation of which diagnostics have been performed and which product is most appropriate.…”

“…Behaviour studies indicate that it is important to understand the motivation of a study population prior to trying to assist that population to change their behaviour. Thus far, research into horse owners has shown that most owners are aware that AHR is an issue; however, they may not consider that it applies to their horses (Rose Vineer et al, 2017). Most horse owners do not use FEC because they are concerned about AHR or even parasitic disease, but rather are driven to do so by other factors such as effects of parasites on performance or a desire to avoid the use of chemicals (Rose Vineer et al, 2017).…”

“…Thus far, research into horse owners has shown that most owners are aware that AHR is an issue; however, they may not consider that it applies to their horses (Rose Vineer et al, 2017). Most horse owners do not use FEC because they are concerned about AHR or even parasitic disease, but rather are driven to do so by other factors such as effects of parasites on performance or a desire to avoid the use of chemicals (Rose Vineer et al, 2017). Owners are more likely to engage with the concept of efficacy in their horse than resistance in the population, so the use of FECRT (particularly after the use of fenbendazole) is helpful in confirming lack of efficacy and highlighting that resistance can apply to them.…”

“…Owners are more likely to engage with the concept of efficacy in their horse than resistance in the population, so the use of FECRT (particularly after the use of fenbendazole) is helpful in confirming lack of efficacy and highlighting that resistance can apply to them. Greater perceived knowledge is associated with increased use of FEC, so education is important in promoting responsible AH use (Rose Vineer et al, 2017). Owners who feel they understand and are in control of the programme are more likely to use FEC (Rose Vineer et al, 2017) ( Figure 11); unfortunately, this does not necessarily mean they are using them appropriately (Stratford et al, 2014b;Easton et al, 2016), so regular professional contact is necessary.…”

Farmer Behavior and Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Ruminant Livestock—Uptake of Sustainable Control Approaches

“…AR on the other hand was not perceived as a risk, and had no effect whatsoever on the adoption intentions of the dairy farmers. A study of Rose Vineer et al ( 92 ) in UK horse owners obtained similar results, but identified perceived knowledge as an additional driver for adoption intention of diagnostic methods. Moreover, perceived knowledge increased the intention to use diagnostics via attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control.…”