Drivers, alternatives, knowledge, and perceptions towards antimicrobial use among Tennessee beef cattle producers: a qualitative study

Abstract Background In recent years, there has been an increased awareness of antimicrobial resistance in both animals and humans, which has triggered concerns over non-judicious antimicrobial use. In the United States, antimicrobial use in food-producing animals for growth promotion or improved fee...

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Main Authors: John E. Ekakoro, Marc Caldwell, Elizabeth B. Strand, Chika C. Okafor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2019-01-01
Series:BMC Veterinary Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-018-1731-6
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spelling doaj-38ef8648ba7f44be9bcc6242623699282020-11-25T02:14:57ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482019-01-0115111410.1186/s12917-018-1731-6Drivers, alternatives, knowledge, and perceptions towards antimicrobial use among Tennessee beef cattle producers: a qualitative studyJohn E. Ekakoro0Marc Caldwell1Elizabeth B. Strand2Chika C. Okafor3Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of TennesseeDepartment of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of TennesseeDepartment of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of TennesseeDepartment of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of TennesseeAbstract Background In recent years, there has been an increased awareness of antimicrobial resistance in both animals and humans, which has triggered concerns over non-judicious antimicrobial use. In the United States, antimicrobial use in food-producing animals for growth promotion or improved feed efficiency is perceived as non-judicious. To facilitate judicious antimicrobial use, the United States Food and Drug Administration implemented the Veterinary Feed Directive, effective from January 1, 2017. Interventions, such as the VFD, designed to ensure the judicious use of antimicrobials among cattle producers may be more effective if the factors that inform and influence producer AMU practices are addressed. The specific objectives of this study were to determine the following among Tennessee beef cattle producers: (1) the most common drivers for using antimicrobials, (2) the perceived alternatives to antimicrobials, (3) the knowledge and perceptions regarding antimicrobial resistance, and (4) the preferred avenues for receiving information on prudent antimicrobial use. A total of 5 focus group meetings with beef producers were conducted in East, Middle, and West Tennessee. Each focus group was video recorded and thematic analysis was performed using NVivo. Results The factors that producers considered to drive antimicrobial use were the type of cattle operation, disease and animal welfare, economic factors, veterinarian consultation, producer’s experience and peer support, Veterinary Feed Directive, and perceived drug efficacy. Vaccination, proper nutrition, and other good management practices were considered alternatives to antimicrobial use. To encourage vaccine use among small producers, participants suggested packaging vaccines into smaller quantities. Antimicrobial resistance was perceived to be a problem affecting animal and public health. Participants suggested additional education for cattle producers on the prudent use of antimicrobials as a measure for improving antimicrobial use. The veterinarian, producer associations and meetings, and county extension agents emerged as trusted avenues for channeling information on prudent antimicrobial use to cattle producers. Conclusions Several factors drive antimicrobial use among cattle producers in Tennessee. Participants generally perceived their antimicrobial use to be discreet and only when necessary. More awareness of drivers for the development of antimicrobial resistance and continuing education on prudent antimicrobial use is needed for Tennessee beef producers.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-018-1731-6Qualitative studyFocus group discussionsAntimicrobial useAntimicrobial resistanceVeterinary feed directiveTennessee-beef cattle producers
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author John E. Ekakoro
Marc Caldwell
Elizabeth B. Strand
Chika C. Okafor
spellingShingle John E. Ekakoro
Marc Caldwell
Elizabeth B. Strand
Chika C. Okafor
Drivers, alternatives, knowledge, and perceptions towards antimicrobial use among Tennessee beef cattle producers: a qualitative study
BMC Veterinary Research
Qualitative study
Focus group discussions
Antimicrobial use
Antimicrobial resistance
Veterinary feed directive
Tennessee-beef cattle producers
author_facet John E. Ekakoro
Marc Caldwell
Elizabeth B. Strand
Chika C. Okafor
author_sort John E. Ekakoro
title Drivers, alternatives, knowledge, and perceptions towards antimicrobial use among Tennessee beef cattle producers: a qualitative study
title_short Drivers, alternatives, knowledge, and perceptions towards antimicrobial use among Tennessee beef cattle producers: a qualitative study
title_full Drivers, alternatives, knowledge, and perceptions towards antimicrobial use among Tennessee beef cattle producers: a qualitative study
title_fullStr Drivers, alternatives, knowledge, and perceptions towards antimicrobial use among Tennessee beef cattle producers: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Drivers, alternatives, knowledge, and perceptions towards antimicrobial use among Tennessee beef cattle producers: a qualitative study
title_sort drivers, alternatives, knowledge, and perceptions towards antimicrobial use among tennessee beef cattle producers: a qualitative study
publisher BMC
series BMC Veterinary Research
issn 1746-6148
publishDate 2019-01-01
description Abstract Background In recent years, there has been an increased awareness of antimicrobial resistance in both animals and humans, which has triggered concerns over non-judicious antimicrobial use. In the United States, antimicrobial use in food-producing animals for growth promotion or improved feed efficiency is perceived as non-judicious. To facilitate judicious antimicrobial use, the United States Food and Drug Administration implemented the Veterinary Feed Directive, effective from January 1, 2017. Interventions, such as the VFD, designed to ensure the judicious use of antimicrobials among cattle producers may be more effective if the factors that inform and influence producer AMU practices are addressed. The specific objectives of this study were to determine the following among Tennessee beef cattle producers: (1) the most common drivers for using antimicrobials, (2) the perceived alternatives to antimicrobials, (3) the knowledge and perceptions regarding antimicrobial resistance, and (4) the preferred avenues for receiving information on prudent antimicrobial use. A total of 5 focus group meetings with beef producers were conducted in East, Middle, and West Tennessee. Each focus group was video recorded and thematic analysis was performed using NVivo. Results The factors that producers considered to drive antimicrobial use were the type of cattle operation, disease and animal welfare, economic factors, veterinarian consultation, producer’s experience and peer support, Veterinary Feed Directive, and perceived drug efficacy. Vaccination, proper nutrition, and other good management practices were considered alternatives to antimicrobial use. To encourage vaccine use among small producers, participants suggested packaging vaccines into smaller quantities. Antimicrobial resistance was perceived to be a problem affecting animal and public health. Participants suggested additional education for cattle producers on the prudent use of antimicrobials as a measure for improving antimicrobial use. The veterinarian, producer associations and meetings, and county extension agents emerged as trusted avenues for channeling information on prudent antimicrobial use to cattle producers. Conclusions Several factors drive antimicrobial use among cattle producers in Tennessee. Participants generally perceived their antimicrobial use to be discreet and only when necessary. More awareness of drivers for the development of antimicrobial resistance and continuing education on prudent antimicrobial use is needed for Tennessee beef producers.
topic Qualitative study
Focus group discussions
Antimicrobial use
Antimicrobial resistance
Veterinary feed directive
Tennessee-beef cattle producers
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-018-1731-6
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