Highlights
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- We surveyed cattle producers to determine the prevalence of key disease reporting beliefs.
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- We compared beliefs related to disease reporting before or during an outbreak.
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- Important barriers included a lack of knowledge related to clinical signs and risk levels.
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- Increasing information on post-reporting procedures may improve cooperation.
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- Veterinarians are seen as a significant source of social pressure for disease reporting.
Abstract
Understanding
the prevalence of cattle producers’ beliefs regarding disease reporting
can help officials improve surveillance programs with passive data
collection. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Texas in 2008 and
2009 to determine beliefs about reporting cattle with clinical signs
consistent with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) either prior to (scenario
1) or during an on-going outbreak of FMD (scenario 2). Two
questionnaires were developed and distributed to Texas cow–calf
producers in order to evaluate their behavioral, control, and normative
beliefs related to disease reporting. The context for each behavior was
provided through the use of scenarios, and belief strength was measured
using a 7-point Likert-like scale. Beliefs were compared across
scenarios and demographic categories, and the effect of scenario on
belief examined using ordinal logistic regression. Respondents agreed
that reporting clinically suspect cases would have positive economic and
emotional consequences; however, when an outbreak was known to be
present, producers were less likely to agree with many of the positive
outcomes of reporting. Important barriers to disease reporting indicated
by producers included a lack of knowledge related to clinical signs of
highly contagious cattle diseases and which cattle are at risk of
contracting FMD. In general, beliefs about barriers to reporting did not
differ based on scenario. Veterinarians and regulatory authorities were
the groups perceived to most strongly expect disease reporting,
regardless of the scenario. Risk education for producers related to
clinical signs of reportable livestock diseases, post-reporting
procedures, and an understanding of FMD introduction and spread may
improve the reporting of cattle with clinical signs consistent with FMD.
Keywords
- Foreign animal disease control;
- Cattle;
- Disease reporting;
- Beliefs;
- Foot-and-mouth disease;
- Surveillance;
- Theory of planned behavior
Published by Elsevier B.V.
