Understanding the uptake of diagnostics for sustainable gastrointestinal nematode control by European dairy cattle farmers: a multi-country cross-sectional study

Abstract

To mitigate emerging anthelmintic resistance (AR) in cattle, sustainable gastrointestinal nematode control strategies should be adopted. A multi-centre study was set up to understand the factors affecting European dairy cattle farmers’ adoption of diagnostics and to gauge for differences between regions. The data were collected through a multi-lingual survey by participating countries of the European Co-operation in Science and Technology (COST) action COMbatting Anthelmintic Resistance in ruminants (COMBAR). Four countries provided sufficient data to be included in the data analysis: Norway, Italy, Germany and Austria. Three models were estimated and validated through structural equation modelling. Norway, along with Germany and Austria (pooled dataset) showed similar trends that align with previous studies. AR risk perception had no influence on the adoption intention of diagnostics, a positive influence was found for attitude towards diagnostics and subjective norms (i.e., perceived opinion of others), and a negative influence of attitudes towards anthelminthics. Additionally, routine (i.e., perception of the current treatment) had an indirect effect on adoption intention through attitudes. Italy’s data deviated from these findings, presenting a positive effect of the perceived severity of AR, and perceived behavioural control (i.e., perceived ability to perform a specific behaviour) on adoption intention of diagnostics. Finally, Norway’s data set allowed for inclusion of a measurement of current behaviour in the model, identifying a direct positive effect of the perceived actual behaviour of other farmers on their own behaviour.

Farmers’ and Experts’ Knowledge Coping with Sheep Health, Control and Anthelmintic Resistance of Their Gastrointestinal Nematodes

“…Consequently, they were not at fault and did not need to change their practices. In cattle, the knowledge about anthelmintic resistance did not promote the adoption of faecal egg counts or other diagnosis of GINs [ 51 ]. In Scottish sheep, the adoption of best practice in GIN control (quarantine prior to introduction and testing for infection with faecal egg counts, among others) was shown to be related to the expectation of others (quarantine) and the belief that there might be anthelmintic resistance on the farm and, hence, laboratory testing and greater use of faecal egg counts [ 12 ].…”

COMBAR – Combatting anthelmintic resistance in ruminants

“…Besides the continuous needs for fundamental research to understand the mechanisms of AR, there is also a very large need for applied research to develop sustainable control methods with the current tools at hand. Finally, as shown by the work of Vande Velde et al [ 17 ], communication and communication research is essential for the correct and widespread implementation of any sustainable control approach. Therefore, different communication strategies are likely required in different countries, making use of a mixture of targeted and region-specific messages, involvement of innovator and early adaptor farmers, as well as nudging approaches.…”