Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Relating to Parasitic Diseases and Anthelmintic Resistance Among Livestock Farmers in Hamedan, Iran
Iranian studies have shown a high prevalence of broad spectrum anthelmintic resistance (AR) in gastrointestinal helminths of ruminants. However, there is a lack of information about levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices among livestock farmers in Iran regarding the concept of parasite control...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2020-10-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.584323/full |
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| author | Alireza Sazmand Golnaz Alipoor Salman Zafari Seyed Masoud Zolhavarieh Seyed Masoud Zolhavarieh Abdullah D. Alanazi Neil D. Sargison |
| author_facet | Alireza Sazmand Golnaz Alipoor Salman Zafari Seyed Masoud Zolhavarieh Seyed Masoud Zolhavarieh Abdullah D. Alanazi Neil D. Sargison |
| author_sort | Alireza Sazmand |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Iranian studies have shown a high prevalence of broad spectrum anthelmintic resistance (AR) in gastrointestinal helminths of ruminants. However, there is a lack of information about levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices among livestock farmers in Iran regarding the concept of parasite control and AR. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of livestock farmers of Hamedan, Iran, regarding parasitic diseases and AR by interviewing 150 farmers using a structured questionnaire. Most of farmers had some knowledge of the clinical signs associated with helminth parasitism, but more than half were unaware of the existence of zoonotic parasites. More than half of the participants had never heard about AR, but were interested to learn about it through their veterinarians. Those who were aware of the problem considered non-prescribed anthelmintic drugs to play a role in its emergence, while several of the participants believed that “more expensive” and “foreign-branded” drugs worked best. Almost all of the farmers reported that they frequently consulted with a veterinarian about anthelmintic treatments, but very few adhered to recognized principles of responsible and sustainable drug use. About half of the participating farmers treated their sheepdogs for helminth parasites, despite the common practice of regularly feeding likely infected livestock offal. Education had a significantly positive association with farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and best practice scores, while knowledge was significantly associated with both attitudes and practices. Based on these results, we recommend that regular country-wide classes should be held to educate farmers on the evidence-based principles of sustainable helminth control and prevention of zoonotic helminth diseases. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T20:22:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-21268e0e56f94a0a87080aa258276023 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T20:22:23Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-21268e0e56f94a0a87080aa2582760232022-12-21T19:27:32ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692020-10-01710.3389/fvets.2020.584323584323Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Relating to Parasitic Diseases and Anthelmintic Resistance Among Livestock Farmers in Hamedan, IranAlireza Sazmand0Golnaz Alipoor1Salman Zafari2Seyed Masoud Zolhavarieh3Seyed Masoud Zolhavarieh4Abdullah D. Alanazi5Neil D. Sargison6Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, IranDepartment of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, IranDepartment of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, IranDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, IranVeterinary Council of Hamedan Province, Hamedan, IranDepartment of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, Ad-Dawadimi, Saudi ArabiaEaster Bush Veterinary Centre, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United KingdomIranian studies have shown a high prevalence of broad spectrum anthelmintic resistance (AR) in gastrointestinal helminths of ruminants. However, there is a lack of information about levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices among livestock farmers in Iran regarding the concept of parasite control and AR. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of livestock farmers of Hamedan, Iran, regarding parasitic diseases and AR by interviewing 150 farmers using a structured questionnaire. Most of farmers had some knowledge of the clinical signs associated with helminth parasitism, but more than half were unaware of the existence of zoonotic parasites. More than half of the participants had never heard about AR, but were interested to learn about it through their veterinarians. Those who were aware of the problem considered non-prescribed anthelmintic drugs to play a role in its emergence, while several of the participants believed that “more expensive” and “foreign-branded” drugs worked best. Almost all of the farmers reported that they frequently consulted with a veterinarian about anthelmintic treatments, but very few adhered to recognized principles of responsible and sustainable drug use. About half of the participating farmers treated their sheepdogs for helminth parasites, despite the common practice of regularly feeding likely infected livestock offal. Education had a significantly positive association with farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and best practice scores, while knowledge was significantly associated with both attitudes and practices. Based on these results, we recommend that regular country-wide classes should be held to educate farmers on the evidence-based principles of sustainable helminth control and prevention of zoonotic helminth diseases.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.584323/fullfarmers' behaviorKAP questionnaireparasite controlparasitic infectionone health |
| spellingShingle | Alireza Sazmand Golnaz Alipoor Salman Zafari Seyed Masoud Zolhavarieh Seyed Masoud Zolhavarieh Abdullah D. Alanazi Neil D. Sargison Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Relating to Parasitic Diseases and Anthelmintic Resistance Among Livestock Farmers in Hamedan, Iran Frontiers in Veterinary Science farmers' behavior KAP questionnaire parasite control parasitic infection one health |
| title | Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Relating to Parasitic Diseases and Anthelmintic Resistance Among Livestock Farmers in Hamedan, Iran |
| title_full | Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Relating to Parasitic Diseases and Anthelmintic Resistance Among Livestock Farmers in Hamedan, Iran |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Relating to Parasitic Diseases and Anthelmintic Resistance Among Livestock Farmers in Hamedan, Iran |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Relating to Parasitic Diseases and Anthelmintic Resistance Among Livestock Farmers in Hamedan, Iran |
| title_short | Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Relating to Parasitic Diseases and Anthelmintic Resistance Among Livestock Farmers in Hamedan, Iran |
| title_sort | assessment of knowledge attitudes and practices relating to parasitic diseases and anthelmintic resistance among livestock farmers in hamedan iran |
| topic | farmers' behavior KAP questionnaire parasite control parasitic infection one health |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.584323/full |
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