An analysis of cattle farmers' perceptions of drivers and barriers to on-farm control of Escherichia coli O157

• Published in: Epidemiology and infection Vol. 143; no. 11; pp. 2355 - 2366
• Main Authors: TOMA, L., LOW, J. C., VOSOUGH AHMADI, B., MATTHEWS, L., STOTT, A. W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.08.2015
• Subjects: Access to information; Adult; Aged; Agriculture; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Attitude; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - prevention & control; Cattle Diseases - transmission; Disease control; E coli; Epidemics; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections - prevention & control; Escherichia coli Infections - transmission; Escherichia coli Infections - veterinary; Escherichia coli O157; Escherichia coli Vaccines - therapeutic use; Farmers; Farms; Female; Gastrointestinal infections; Humans; Hypotheses; Infection Control - economics; Infection Control - methods; Influence; Intention; Livestock; Male; Middle Aged; Original Papers; Perception; Perceptions; Structural equation modeling; Surveys and Questionnaires; Variables; information and knowledge; structural equation modelling; Attitudes and behaviour; UK cattle farmers; E. coli O157 on-farm control
• ISSN: 0950-2688; 1469-4409
• DOI: 10.1017/S0950268814003045

Structural equation modelling and survey data were used to test determinants' influence on farmers' intentions towards Escherichia coli O157 on-farm control. Results suggest that farmers more likely to show willingness to spend money/time or vaccinate to control Escherichia coli O157 are those: who think farmers are most responsible for control; whose income depends more on opening farms to the public; with stronger disease control attitudes; affected by outbreaks; with better knowledge and more informed; with stronger perceptions of biosecurity measures’ practicality; using a health plan; who think farmers are the main beneficiaries of control; and whose farms are dairy rather than beef. The findings might suggest that farmers may implement on-farm controls for E. coli O157 if they identify a clear hazard and if there is greater knowledge of the safety and efficacy of the proposed controls.