Wisconsin dairy farm worker perceptions and practices related to antibiotic use, resistance, and infection prevention using a systems engineering framework

Abstract

We studied farmworker practices and beliefs potentially contributing to transmission of bacteria and their associated antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) among animals and farm workers to identify potential behavioral interventions to reduce the risk of bacterial transmission. Ten focus groups were conducted on eight Wisconsin dairy farms to assess potentially high-risk practices and farmworker knowledge and experiences with antibiotic use and resistance using the Systems Engineering in Patient Safety (SEIPS) framework. Farmworkers were asked to describe common on-farm tasks and the policies guiding these practices. We found workers demonstrated knowledge of the role of antibiotic stewardship in preventing the spread of ARGs. Worker knowledge of various forms of personal protective equipment was higher for workers who commonly reported glove-use. Additionally, workers knowledge regarding the importance of reducing ARG transmission varied but was higher than we had hypothesized. Programs to reduce ARG spread on dairy farms should focus on proper hand hygiene and personal protective equipment use at the level of knowledge, beliefs, and practices.

Insights into antibiotic use in Brazilian dairy production

“…Environmental spread of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria can be an occupational problem, as employees, farmers and veterinarians are often exposed to the production environment, whether through animal handling, or contact with dust, contaminated water, faeces or milking parlour environments (Kates et al . 2021). These interactions can be a problem because some bacteria have zoonotic potential, such as methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (Pirolo et al .…”

Pharmacists in antibiotic resistance prevention education at Makassar Mandai Market

“…Pharmacists have the responsibility to carry out pharmaceutical work which includes quality control of pharmaceutical preparations, security, procurement, storage and distribution or distribution of drugs, drug management, drug services on doctor's prescription, including drug information services (Kates et al, 2021). The partner for this activity is the Mandai Market, Makassar City administrator.…”

Uma abordagem em one health para compreender fatores associados a distribuição de resistência a antibióticos na cadeia produtiva do leite

“…Environmental spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria can be an occupational problem, as employees, farmers and veterinarians are often exposed to the production environment, whether through animal handling, or contact with dust, contaminated water, feces or milking parlor environments (Kates et al 2021). These interactions can be a problem because some bacteria have zoonotic potential, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (Pirolo et al 2020).…”

“…Através desses programas de monitoramento também é possível identificar a emergência de cepas resistentes a múltiplas classes de antibióticos (MDR) ou mesmo organismos resistentes a drogas de uso exclusivo a seres humanos, como colistina (Fuga et al, 2022). O conhecimento da dinâmica de distribuição de microrganismos resistentes em um sistema produtivo é fundamental para o estabelecimento de estratégias de mitigação e controle desses perigos, reduzindo os riscos à saúde pública (Kates et al, 2021).…”