Attitudes towards worm egg counts and targeted selective treatment against equine cyathostomins.
Abstract: Gastrointestinal nematodes present a major threat to the health and welfare of equids worldwide. Anthelmintic resistance (AR) is increasingly reported and challenges effective control in horses and ponies in many regions. The use of faecal worm egg counts (FECs) to support targeted treatment (FEC-TT) and targeted selective treatment (FEC-TST) has been promoted as an effective deworming strategy that may prolong the useful life of anthelmintics and reduce the costs associated with parasite control. However, treatment applied at set intervals or on pre-determined dates remains common. A structural equation model was developed to identify factors influencing the uptake of FEC-directed treatment strategies, based on well-established socio-psychological theories of intentional health-related behaviours: the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Health Belief Model. More than 850 valid responses were received from horse owners in the UK via an online survey. The intention to use FECs prior to deworming was not influenced by the perceived risk of anthelmintic resistance or that of gastrointestinal nematode infection but was positively influenced by a negative attitude towards anthelmintics, a positive attitude towards FECs, an increase in social pressure (e.g. significant others think the respondent should use FECs) and an increase in perceived control over their deworming programme. The results were consistent with a similar study conducted on FEC-TT in cattle in Belgium. An increase in respondents' self-perceived level of knowledge significantly increased the intention to use FECs via mediating factors. These results suggest that knowledge transfer activities aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of sustainable nematode control practices may be more effective at encouraging behaviour change than emphasising the dangers of nematodes and AR, which had limited influence on behaviour intention in this study population.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2017-05-06 PubMed ID: 28716205DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.05.002Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article explores factors impacting the adoption of faecal worm egg counts (FECs) in equine deworming programs, a strategy seen as effective in prolonging the use of anthelmintics and reducing parasite control costs. By gathering over 850 responses from UK horse owners, the research concluded that increased awareness and understanding of nematode control practices are more effective in promoting behavior change than emphasizing the dangers of nematodes and anthelmintic resistance.
Introduction to the Research
- The research focused on gastrointestinal nematodes, a major threat to the health and welfare of horses worldwide.
- The widespread problem of anthelmintic resistance (AR) informed the context of this study, which necessitates effective control measures.
- Targeted selective treatment involving faecal worm egg counts (FECs) has been proposed as an ideal solution. This strategy, also known as FEC-TT and FEC-TST, cuold extend the effective life of anthelmintics and decrease associated expenses.
- Despite these advantages, regular treatment at predefined intervals remains a common practice.
Methodology Used
- The research used a structural equation model to identify the factors influencing the shift towards FEC-based approaches.
- The model was primarily informed by socio-psychological theories that explain health-related behaviors, such as the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Health Belief Model.
- The researchers collected over 850 valid responses via an online survey that targeted horse owners in the UK.
Findings from the Research
- The intention to use FECs wasn’t influenced by the perceived risk surrounding anthelmintic resistance or gastrointestinal nematode infection.
- However, a negative view towards anthelmintics, positive attitude towards FECs, increased social pressure, and perceived control over their deworming programme, all positively impacted the decision to use FECs.
- An increase in individual’s perceived knowledge level also significantly affected their intention to use FECs. The effect was observed through mediating factors.
- These findings mirror those of a parallel study conducted in Belgium on FEC-TT in cattle.
Implications of the Research
- The results suggest that emphasizing the dangers of nematodes and AR might not be the best approach to promote behavior change in equine deworming practices.
- Efforts should be geared towards raising awareness and understanding of sustainable nematode control practices. These measures, according to the study, could significantly encourage the adoption of FEC-based deworming strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Rose Vineer H, Vande Velde F, Bull K, Claerebout E, Morgan ER.
(2017).
Attitudes towards worm egg counts and targeted selective treatment against equine cyathostomins.
Prev Vet Med, 144, 66-74.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.05.002 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Bristol, BS40 5DU, UK; Cabot Institute, University of Bristol, Cantocks Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK. Electronic address: hannah.rose@bristol.ac.uk.
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium; Department of Communication Studies, Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Ghent University, Korte Meer 7-11, Gent, 9000, Belgium.
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Bristol, BS40 5DU, UK.
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium.
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Bristol, BS40 5DU, UK; Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
- Attitude
- Belgium
- Cattle
- Feces / parasitology
- Helminthiasis, Animal / diagnosis
- Helminthiasis, Animal / drug therapy
- Helminthiasis, Animal / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Vande Velde F, Hektoen L, Phythian CJ, Rinaldi L, Bosco A, Hinney B, Gehringer M, Strube C, May K, Knubben-Schweizer G, Martins OMD, Mateus TL, Simion VE, Charlier J, Bartley DJ, Claerebout E. Understanding the uptake of diagnostics for sustainable gastrointestinal nematode control by European dairy cattle farmers: a multi-country cross-sectional study. Parasite 2023;30:4.
- Furtado T, Perkins E, Pinchbeck G, McGowan C, Watkins F, Christley R. Exploring human behavior change in equine welfare: Insights from a COM-B analysis of the UK's equine obesity epidemic. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:961537.
- Furtado T, King M, Perkins E, McGowan C, Chubbock S, Hannelly E, Rogers J, Pinchbeck G. An Exploration of Environmentally Sustainable Practices Associated with Alternative Grazing Management System Use for Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Mules in the UK. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 8;12(2).
- Nguyen T, Clark N, Jones MK, Herndon A, Mallyon J, Soares Magalhaes RJ, Abdullah S. Perceptions of dog owners towards canine gastrointestinal parasitism and associated human health risk in Southeast Queensland. One Health 2021 Jun;12:100226.
- Rose Vineer H, Morgan ER, Hertzberg H, Bartley DJ, Bosco A, Charlier J, Chartier C, Claerebout E, de Waal T, Hendrickx G, Hinney B, Höglund J, Ježek J, Kašný M, Keane OM, Martínez-Valladares M, Mateus TL, McIntyre J, Mickiewicz M, Munoz AM, Phythian CJ, Ploeger HW, Rataj AV, Skuce PJ, Simin S, Sotiraki S, Spinu M, Stuen S, Thamsborg SM, Vadlejch J, Varady M, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Rinaldi L. Increasing importance of anthelmintic resistance in European livestock: creation and meta-analysis of an open database. Parasite 2020;27:69.
- Tzelos T, Howes NL, Esteves CL, Howes MP, Byrne TJ, Macrae AI, Donadeu FX. Farmer and Veterinary Practices and Opinions Related to Fertility Testing and Pregnancy Diagnosis of UK Dairy Cows. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:564209.
- Vande Velde F, Charlier J, Claerebout E. Farmer Behavior and Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Ruminant Livestock-Uptake of Sustainable Control Approaches. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:255.
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