Identification of different attitudes towards paratuberculosis control using cluster analysis applied on data from an anonymous survey among German cattle farmers

Abstract

Background Paratuberculosis is a common disease in ruminants, causing economic losses in livestock farming, and a relationship between the exposure to its causative agent Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, and Crohn’s disease in humans is discussed. Despite this, only a minority of cattle farmers have enroled in voluntary control programmes in most countries. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the farmer’s opinion on paratuberculosis and their motivations to participate in a control programme. The objective was to identify different groups among farmers regarding their motivation and thereby contribute to a better understanding of farmers’ attitudes towards paratuberculosis control. Results Two hundred twenty-five farmers responded to questionnaires that were distributed among cattle farmers in Saxony and Thuringia, federal states of Germany, together with boot-swab sampling sets for a free and anonymous herd-level paratuberculosis test. Among them, dairy herds and large herds were overrepresented. A hierarchical cluster analysis of the farmers’ answers resulted in four groups that we tagged as ‘informed sceptics’, ‘deniers’, ‘affected supporters’ and ‘free supporters’. In all groups, the majority considered paratuberculosis a threat to the public image of cattle farmers. Nearly all participants wanted to know the paratuberculosis herd status of purchased cattle. In contrast to the supporters, the informed sceptics and the deniers did not consider paratuberculosis a dangerous epizootic disease and would not welcome a mandatory control programme. The deniers and the affected supporters, but not the informed sceptics and the free supporters, assumed that their herd is affected by paratuberculosis. Unlike the deniers, all other groups would enrol in a control programme if the pathogen would have been found in their herd. Protecting future profitability and improving animal health were the two most important motivations to control paratuberculosis in all groups followed by aspects related to the marketing of breeding cattle. Most frequently, the costs and the assumed inaccuracy of diagnostics tests were mentioned as obstacles that hamper programme enrolment. Conclusions Significantly different attitudes of farmers regarding paratuberculosis control were identified. Therefore, tailored rather than uniform communication strategies are required to enhance participation in voluntary paratuberculosis control programmes.

Evaluation of the Thuringian Bovine Johne’s Disease Control Program—A Case Study

“…Despite the fact that the costs of the program for participating farmers were limited (half of the testing costs and some additional efforts to improve hygiene) and were low compared to the benefits, the majority of Thuringian cattle farmers have yet to register in the program. This reticence was consistent with our findings in a previous study regarding attitudes towards paratuberculosis control using cluster analysis applied on data from an anonymous survey among cattle farmers in Thuringia and Saxony [ 39 ]. In this study, we identified four groups of farmers tagged ‘free supporters’, ‘affected supporters’, ‘sceptics’, and ‘deniers’.…”

“…In contrast to the supporters of the program, the two groups of farmers tagged as ‘sceptics’ and ‘deniers’ did not consider paratuberculosis a dangerous epizootic disease, and the ‘deniers’ would not enroll in a voluntary control program even if the pathogen would have been found in their herd. These farmers mentioned the costs and the inaccuracy of diagnostic tests as obstacles that hamper their enrollment [ 39 ]. The reluctance of farmers to adopt JD control measures was often justified with the argument that existing tests fall short of offering a reliable basis for consistent control and that the available tests still do not offer the necessary sensitivity and specificity.…”

Successful Control of Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis Infection in a Dairy Herd within a Decade—A Case Study

“…In our study, the farmer and the herdsman were highly motivated to struggle through the tribulations of paratuberculosis control, which is specific but not uncommon among Thuringian dairy farmers. A former study investigating the attitudes of farmers toward paratuberculosis control in that region identified a high proportion of cattle farmers supporting the activities of paratuberculosis control [ 56 ]. For those who are interested in paratuberculosis control but still undecisive, this report may be a good example showing that the disease can be controlled and even that the elimination of the infectious agent might be an achievable goal.…”

Individual- and Herd-Level Milk ELISA Test Status and Incidence for Paratuberculosis in Hubei Province, China

“…The farms that buy and sell dairy cattle also have the highest infection risk for MAP infection [37]. Furthermore, the attitudes of farmers towards MAP and their beliefs are very important for the control of MAP [38]. In China, farmers in small farms usually have a relatively low knowledge and a negative attitude towards the control of animal diseases, and most of them buy dairy cattle from others.…”