190 Higher perceived risks of antimicrobial use are related to lower usage among pig farmers in four European countries (Research paper – Visschers, 2016)

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190 Research paper – Visschers – 2016 – Higher perceived risks of antimicrobial use are related to lower usage among pig farmers in four European countries

In Significant Impact Groups: Prudent use AB \ Farmer; AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
It is important to understand pig farmers’ motivators and the barriers to antimicrobial usage (AMU) on their farms. Pig farmers’ self-estimated levels of AMU, their perceived benefits, risks and the need for antimicrobials were studied in a cross-sectional survey in Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden. These perceptions were compared between the four countries and related them to pig farmers’ actual AMU. Results showed that farmers using more antimicrobials also estimated their own usage as higher. Farmers perceived many benefits but few risks of AMU in pig farming. Some significant cross-country differences in farmers’ perceptions were found, but they were relatively small. Country differences as well as perceived risks of antimicrobials served to predict farmers’ actual AMU. Promoting prudent AMU should focus on the structural differences in pig farming and veterinary medicine among countries. In addition, interventions aiming at reducing AMU should increase farmers’ awareness of the risks of extensive AMU.

Where to find the original material: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27553605; https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.103844
Country: BE; SE; CH; FR; DE