A qualitative study of perceived barriers and facilitators to sustainable parasite control on thoroughbred studs in Ireland.
Abstract: In view of the rising threat of anthelmintic resistance in parasite populations and the planned change of classification of anthelmintics in Ireland for food animals to prescription-only medicines, there is a need for increased focus on parasite control strategies for horses. Effective parasite control programs (PCPs) are complex, necessitating the application of risk-assessment based on host immune status, infection pressure, type of parasite and seasonality to determine the requirement for anthelmintic administration and an understanding of parasite biology to employ effective, non- therapeutic, parasite control measures. The aim of this study was to explore horse breeders' attitudes and behaviours towards general parasite control practices and anthelmintic use on thoroughbred studs in Ireland using qualitative research methods, in order to help identify barriers to the implementation of sustainable equine PCPs supported by veterinary involvement. One-to-one, qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 breeders, using an interview topic guide that allowed for an open questioning style. The topic guide facilitated discussion around the following areas: (i) parasite control measures (general approach, (ii) veterinary involvement, (iii) use of anthelmintics, (iv) use of diagnostics, pasture management), (v) recording of anthelmintic use and (vi) anthelmintic resistance. Convenience, purposive (subjective selection) sampling was used to select a small group of participants that reflected the characteristics of current thoroughbred breeders in Ireland taking into account farm type, farm size, geographical location. The interviews were transcribed, and a method of inductive thematic analysis (a data driven identification and analysis of themes) was performed. Assessment of current behaviours by these participants found that PCPs were primarily based on the prophylactic use of anthelmintics without a strategic rationale. A key driver of behaviour regarding parasite prevention practices was localised routine, dictated by tradition, that gave breeders a sense of confidence and protection regarding parasite control. The perceptions of the benefits of parasitology diagnostics were varied and their application to control was poorly understood. Anthelmintic resistance was recognised as an industry threat but not an issue for individual farms. By using a qualitative approach, this study offers insights into the possible barriers to the adoption of sustainable PCPs on Irish thoroughbred farms and highlights the need for end-user involvement in the preparation of future guidelines.
Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023-03-05 PubMed ID: 36907136DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109904Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The study investigates the attitudes and behaviors of horse breeders in Ireland towards their general parasite control practices and use of anthelmintics, profiling potential impediments and facilitators to the development of effective and sustainable parasite control strategies that integrate veterinary involvement.
Overview of the Study
- The research was motivated by the need to develop sustainable parasite control programs (PCPs) due to increasing cases of parasite resistance and impending reclassification of food animal anthelmintics as prescription-only drugs. The study acknowledges the complexity of a successful PCP, influenced by such factors as host immune status, parasitic type, environmental infection pressure, and seasonal changes.
- The focus of the study was to discern the perspectives and practices of horse breeders in relation to parasite control and anthelmintic use.
- The researchers used a qualitative approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with 16 horse breeders. The breeders were selected using a convenience, purposive sampling method to reflect thoroughbred breeders in Ireland based on their farm type, size, and geographical location.
- The questions revolved around parasitic control methods, veterinarian engagement, anthelmintic usage, diagnostic application, anthelmintic administration records, and anthelmintic resistance. The interview data were then examined and analyzed using thematic analysis, a method that identifies and analyses themes from the information recorded.
Key Findings
- The study found that current parasite control programs put into practice by the participating breeders were chiefly established on generalized anthelmintic use, absent of particular strategic reasoning.
- The main influencers of these control arrangements stemmed from traditional routines that gave breeders a sense of confidence in managing parasitic infections.
- The participants held varying views on the benefits of parasitology diagnostics, indicating their limited understanding of the diagnostics’ applicability in managing parasitic control.
- While the breeders acknowledged anthelmintic resistance as a potential risk to the horse breeding industry, they didn’t perceive it as a threat to individual farms.
Conclusions
- In conclusion, the study provided valuable insights into possible obstacles that could hamper the adoption of sustainable parasite control programs on thoroughbred breeding farms in Ireland.
- The findings also underscored the necessity for including end-users, namely the breeders, in the creation of any future guidelines and strategies for effective parasite control.
Cite This Article
APA
Walshe N, Burrell A, Kenny U, Mulcahy G, Duggan V, Regan A.
(2023).
A qualitative study of perceived barriers and facilitators to sustainable parasite control on thoroughbred studs in Ireland.
Vet Parasitol, 317, 109904.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109904 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: Nicola.walshe@ucd.ie.
- Animal Health Ireland, 2-5 The Archways, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim., Ireland.
- One Health and One Welfare Scientific Support Team, National Disease Control Centre, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kildare St., Dublin, Ireland.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
- Department of Agri-food Business & Spatial Analysis, Teagasc, Ashtown Food Research Centre, Dublin 15, Ireland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Ireland / epidemiology
- Animal Husbandry / methods
- Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
- Anthelmintics / pharmacology
- Parasites
- Communicable Disease Control
- Qualitative Research
- Drug Resistance
- Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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