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PloS one2017; 12(6); e0180062; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180062

Playing with fire – What is influencing horse owners’ decisions to not vaccinate their horses against deadly Hendra virus infection?

Abstract: Hendra virus is a zoonotic paramyxovirus, which causes severe respiratory and neurological disease in horses and humans. Since 2012, the Hendra virus sub-unit G vaccine has been available for horse vaccination in Australia. Uptake of the vaccine has been limited and spill-over events of Hendra virus infection in horses continue to occur. We conducted an online, questionnaire-based cross-sectional study of 376 horse owners belonging to a variety of different equestrian clubs in Queensland, Australia, to identify risk factors for non-vaccination against Hendra virus. A total of 43.1% (N = 162) of horse owners indicated that they currently did not vaccinate against Hendra virus infection, while 56.9% (N = 214) currently vaccinated against Hendra virus infection. A total of 52 risk factors were evaluated relating to equestrian activities, horse management, perceived risk and severity of horse and human infection with Hendra virus, side effects of Hendra vaccination, other vaccinations conducted by horse owners and horse owners' attitudes towards veterinarians. The final multivariable logistics regression model identified the following risk factors associated with increased odds of non-vaccination against Hendra virus: 1) perceived low risk (compared to high) of Hendra virus infection to horses (considering the horse owners' location and management practices) or horse owners were unsure about the risk of infection, 2) perceived moderate severity (compared to very severe or severe) of Hendra virus infection in humans, 3) horse owners non-vaccination of their pets, 4) horse owners non-vaccination against strangles disease in horses, 5) handling of more than three horses per week (compared to one horse only) and 6) perceived attitude that veterinarians had a high motivation of making money from Hendra virus vaccination (compared to veterinarians having a low motivation of making money from Hendra virus vaccination). Horse owners were more likely to vaccinate against Hendra virus if horses were used for dressage, show jumping or eventing. The study also identified horse owners' concerns about side-effects and about the lack of evidence on vaccine efficacy.
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Publication Date: 2017-06-21 PubMed ID: 28636633PubMed Central: PMC5479593DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180062Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research presents factors that influence the decision of horse owners in Queensland, Australia, not to vaccinate their horses against the deadly Hendra virus. It found that perceived low risk of infection, non-vaccination of other pets, handling more than three horses per week and the belief that vets have high financial motivation from the vaccine are among the contributing factors.

Research Overview

  • This study focused on investigating the reasons why horse owners choose not to vaccinate their horses against the Hendra virus, a zoonotic paramyxovirus which can cause severe respiratory and neurological disease in horses and humans.
  • An online, questionnaire-based study was conducted involving 376 horse owners from various equestrian clubs in Queensland, Australia. The choice of location is relevant because the Hendra virus sub-unit G vaccine has been available in Australia since 2012, but uptake has been limited.

Findings

  • Of the participants, 43.1% (162 individuals) were not vaccinating their horses against the Hendra virus, and 56.9% (214 individuals) were.
  • The factors contributing to these numbers were analyzed, and six risk factors associated with increased odds of non-vaccination were identified. These include:
    • Perceived low risk of Hendra virus infection to horses or being unsure about the risk.
    • Perceived moderate severity of infection in humans.
    • Horse owners’ non-vaccination of their pets.
    • Non-vaccination against strangles disease in horses.
    • Handling more than three horses per week.
    • A belief that veterinarians are driven by high financial gain from Hendra virus vaccination.
  • In contrast, horse owners involved in competitive equestrian sports like dressage, show jumping or eventing were found to be more likely to vaccinate their horses against the Hendra virus.

Conclusion

  • The study, overall, provided useful insight into various risk factors influencing horse owners’ decisions regarding Hendra virus vaccination. Of particular concern are the misconceptions about the virus’s risk and severity and the lack of vaccination of other pets.
  • Additionally, reservation about potential side-effects and perceived inadequacy of evidence on vaccine efficacy were identified as significant concerns amongst horse owners.
  • These findings could be instrumental in formulating strategies for encouraging more horse owners to vaccinate their horses, such as dispelling misconceptions, providing compelling evidence on vaccine efficacy and addressing concerns about potential side effects.

Cite This Article

APA
Goyen KA, Wright JD, Cunneen A, Henning J. (2017). Playing with fire – What is influencing horse owners’ decisions to not vaccinate their horses against deadly Hendra virus infection? PLoS One, 12(6), e0180062. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180062

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 6
Pages: e0180062

Researcher Affiliations

Goyen, Kailiea Arianna
  • School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
Wright, John David
  • School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
Cunneen, Alexandra
  • School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
Henning, Joerg
  • School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Australia
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Hendra Virus / immunology
  • Henipavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Henipavirus Infections / virology
  • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Odds Ratio
  • Ownership
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vaccination / adverse effects
  • Vaccination / economics
  • Veterinarians / economics
  • Veterinarians / psychology

Conflict of Interest Statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
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