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Ciaravino G, Espluga J, Moragas-Fernández C, Capdevila A, Freixa V, López I Gelats F, Vergne T, Allepuz A. Improving the communication between farmers and veterinarians to enhance the acceptability of bovine tuberculosis eradication programmes. Prev Vet Med 2023; 220:106046. [PMID: 37857003 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.106046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
France and Spain have been fighting against bovine tuberculosis (bTB) for years, even though new outbreaks continue to appear on both sides of the border, generating misconceptions about the disease and social distrust in the eradication programme and competent authorities. The perceived disease risk and the commitment of all interested parties are key factors for the successful implementation of control programmes, as they might influence the acceptability of recommended measures. Effective communication can contribute to increasing knowledge, trust and stakeholders' engagement, thus ensuring the acceptability of the eradication programme. This study was conducted in Catalonia (Spain) and Pyrenees-Atlantiques (France) in the frame of the INNOTUB project (https://innotub.eu/) to characterise the communication on bTB in the trans-Pyrenees region and provide recommendations to improve it. The communication on bTB was characterised by analysing 153 (Spain) and 66 (France) online freely available texts, published between 2018 and 2020, through Content Analysis and Critical Metaphor Analysis. Moreover, six farmers and four veterinarians were in-depth interviewed in each area to gather information about the communication on bTB. Interviews were made in original languages and analysed using a qualitative thematic approach. A pilot participatory intervention inspired by the Systematic Tool for Behavioural Assumption Validation and Exploration (STAVE) method was used to develop a list of proposals to improve communication and to promote the creation of territorial networks/committees on bTB prevention and control. It included three focus groups with farmers and veterinarians, a meeting with representatives of the regional veterinary services, and a final deliberative workshop. Results highlight the existence of a controversial debate on bTB and a heterogeneous understanding between stakeholders. Institutional and scientific communication mainly focus on bTB detection and control while other aspects are left in the background. On the contrary, farmers extend their communication to a greater variety of topics. The metaphorical framing strongly differed among actors, while veterinary services and researchers "fight" against bTB and "progress" toward the eradication, farmers place themselves in a framework of "sacrifice" and, particularly in Spain, they play a passive role. The proposals developed by the participants to improve the current communication on bTB included: (i) create participatory meeting spaces to share opinions and information; (ii) improve data accessibility (on epidemiological situations); (iii) develop clearer and written protocols and informative visual material; (iv) redesign the training courses (v) increase the stakeholders' participation in the design of protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Ciaravino
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Josep Espluga
- Departament de Sociologia / IGOP, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Arantxa Capdevila
- Departament de Estudis de Comunicació, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Tarragona, Spain
| | - Vanessa Freixa
- Asociación Obrador Xisqueta Montanyanes, Pallars Sobirà (Alt Pirineu), Spain
| | - Feliu López I Gelats
- Càtedra d'Agroecologia i Sistemes Alimentaris, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya, Spain
| | - Timothée Vergne
- National Veterinary School of Toulouse, ENVT-INRAE IHAP, Toulouse, France
| | - Alberto Allepuz
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
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Romero MP, Chang YM, Brunton LA, Parry J, Prosser A, Upton P, Drewe JA. Assessing the potential impact of applying a higher sensitivity test to selected cattle populations for the control of bovine tuberculosis in England. Prev Vet Med 2023; 219:106004. [PMID: 37647718 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.106004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) continues to be the costliest, most complex animal health problem in England. The effectiveness of the test-and-slaughter policy is hampered by the imperfect sensitivity of the surveillance tests. Up to half of recurrent incidents within 24 months of a previous one could have been due to undetected infected cattle not being removed. Improving diagnostic testing with more sensitive tests, like the interferon (IFN)-gamma test, is one of the government's top priorities. However, blanket deployment of such tests could result in more false positive results (due to imperfect specificity), together with logistical and cost-efficiency challenges. A targeted application of such tests in higher prevalence scenarios, such as a subpopulation of high-risk herds, could mitigate against these challenges. We developed classification machine learning algorithms (using 80% of 2012-2019 bTB surveillance data as the training set) to evaluate the deployment of IFN-gamma testing in high-risk herds (i.e. those at risk of an incident in England) in two testing data sets: i) the remaining 20% of 2012-19 data, and ii) 2020 bTB surveillance data. The resulting model, classification tree analysis, with an area under a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) > 95, showed a 73% sensitivity and a 97% specificity in the 2012-2019 test dataset. Used on 2020 data, it predicted eight percent (3 510 of 41 493) of eligible active herds as at-risk of a bTB incident, the majority of them (66% or 2 328 herds) experiencing at least one. Whilst all predicted at-risk herds could have preventive measures applied, the additional application of IFN-gamma test in parallel interpretation to the statutory skin test, if the risk materialises, would have resulted in 8 585 additional IFN-gamma reactors detected (a 217% increase over the 2 710 IFN-gamma reactors already detected by tests carried out). Only 18% (330 of 1 819) of incidents in predicted high-risk herds had the IFN-gamma test applied in 2020. We therefore conclude that this methodology provides a better way of directing the application of the IFN-gamma test towards the high-risk subgroup of herds. Classification tree analysis ensured the systematic identification of high-risk herds to consistently apply additional measures in a targeted way. This could increase the detection of infected cattle more efficiently, preventing recurrence and accelerating efforts to achieve eradication by 2038. This methodology has wider application, like targeting improved biosecurity measures in avian influenza at-risk farms to limit damage to the industry in future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pilar Romero
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, United Kingdom; Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, United Kingdom.
| | - Yu-Mei Chang
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy A Brunton
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica Parry
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Prosser
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Upton
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Julian A Drewe
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, United Kingdom
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Guétin-Poirier V, Dufour B, Rivière J. A framework for multicriteria decision-aid analyses in animal health surveillance applied to periodic screening for French bovine tuberculosis. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:1281-1293. [PMID: 33817996 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In animal health surveillance, decision-makers must allocate limited financial and human resources, choosing appropriate protocols that consider technical, economic and human aspects (i.e. test sensitivity, cost benefits and policy acceptability respectively). Choosing in an objective manner and considering all these criteria can be challenging, especially where criteria have a tendency to be at odds with one another. In France, there are several mandatory protocols implemented to screen for bovine tuberculosis (TB), each with advantages and drawbacks concerning effectiveness, cost and acceptability. Previous studies have developed scenario tree models in order to evaluate mandatory periodic screening protocols and alternative protocols. Using these previously developed models, we estimated protocol sensitivity, costs at the level of State and farmer, probability of false suspects, and probability of culling an uninfected animal, which influence stakeholders' acceptability. We then assessed the level of difficulty for protocol implementation for veterinarians, farmers and State through the use of surveys. Using these criteria, we rank the protocols with the PROMETHEE method, a multicriteria decision-aid method, by considering the relative importance of each criterion from the decision-maker point of view in four administrative areas with contrasting epidemiological context. This method can be considered a tool to aid decision-makers in choosing the appropriate protocol to apply to a heard while considering the technical and socio-economic facets of the problem. Additionally, by adapting the criteria to specific issues with regards to decision-making, there is potential for applying the PROMETHEE method to other animal health surveillance problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentine Guétin-Poirier
- Anses, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé animale USC EPIMAI, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Barbara Dufour
- Anses, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé animale USC EPIMAI, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Julie Rivière
- Anses, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé animale USC EPIMAI, Maisons-Alfort, France
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Guétin-Poirier V, Rivière J, Crozet G, Dufour B. Assessment of the cost-effectiveness of alternative bovine tuberculosis surveillance protocols in French cattle farms using the mixed interferon gamma test. Res Vet Sci 2020; 132:546-562. [PMID: 32829191 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Periodic screening in farms, using intradermal cervical comparative tuberculin test (ICCT), is a component of the French ante mortem surveillance of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). Previous studies have estimated the cost-effectiveness of the French mandatory bTB screening protocols. In these protocols, a second ICCT (ICCT2) is performed 42 days after the first one (ICCT1), either on the entire herd (strict protocol) or in series on animals with non-negative results (reactors) to ICCT1 (compliant protocol). The 42-days interval reduced protocols' cost-effectiveness. To minimize this interval, we suggested two alternative protocols, in which a mixed interferon gamma test (IFNMIX), with better sensitivity than ICCT2 and comparable specificity, replaces the ICCT2, and is carried out directly after the ICCT1. In the strict alternative protocol, reactors to ICCT1 are culled to perform laboratory analyses (PCR, bacteriology). Negative results to these analyses imply the IFNMIX testing of the entire herd. In the compliant alternative protocol, only reactor(s) to ICCT1 are tested with IFNMIX, and animals with positive results to IFNMIX are culled for laboratory analyses. We evaluated these protocols through scenario tree modelling. The estimated cost-effectiveness indexes showed that the compliant alternative protocol was the most efficient. The strict protocols (mandatory and alternative) were never the most efficient, but were the most effective. Therefore, using IFNMIX instead of ICCT2 may be useful in reducing the costs of the compliant protocol used when the probability of infection is considered low. The strict alternative protocol may become more attractive would IFNMIX's price decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Guétin-Poirier
- USC EPIMAI, Anses, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - J Rivière
- USC EPIMAI, Anses, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - G Crozet
- USC EPIMAI, Anses, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - B Dufour
- USC EPIMAI, Anses, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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Guétin-Poirier V, Crozet G, Gardon S, Dufour B, Rivière J. Integrating data of veterinarians' practices in assessing the cost effectiveness of three components of the bovine tuberculosis surveillance system by intradermal tuberculin testing in French cattle farms through a scenario-tree approach. Res Vet Sci 2019; 128:242-260. [PMID: 31837513 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2019.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Disease surveillance systems' effectiveness relies on participants following prescribed practices. We developed a general method to improve a previous cost-effectiveness evaluation of three French screening program protocols for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) to account for the practices of participants by scenario tree modelling. This method relies on: 1) semi-directive interviews of participants to identify the variability of practices and potentially influential factors, and to understand the sociological context; 2) a quantitative survey, based on multiple-choice questions, to quantify various practices and identify significantly influential factors by multivariable regression analyses; 3) addition of the scenario-tree nodes corresponding to the practices and their influential factors and configuration of the new limbs according to the data of the quantitative survey. We used this approach to integrate data concerning veterinary practices and identify some failures to conform to regulatory guidelines regarding intradermal cervical comparative tuberculin test (SICCT) (testing and notification of non-negative results). Such nonconformities appeared to be mainly caused by cattle restraint issues and the perception of veterinarians of the bTB control program. Indeed, their perception of that program significantly influenced veterinarians' practices. We modelled the influence of the SICCT practices on the SICCT results. The incorporation of these data led to a major decrease of the herd sensitivity estimations relative to the previous assessments that did not incorporate data of practices (15% to 42% decrease). This result shows the important impact of veterinarians' practices and their influencing factors (such as perception of the bTB control program) on the effectiveness of the surveillance system.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Guétin-Poirier
- USC EPIMAI, Anses, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort F-94700, France.
| | - G Crozet
- USC EPIMAI, Anses, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort F-94700, France
| | - S Gardon
- École Nationale des Services Vétérinaires (French National School of Veterinary Services), Marcy l'Etoile F-69280, France
| | - B Dufour
- USC EPIMAI, Anses, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort F-94700, France
| | - J Rivière
- USC EPIMAI, Anses, École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort F-94700, France
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Ciaravino G, Ibarra P, Casal E, Lopez S, Espluga J, Casal J, Napp S, Allepuz A. Farmer and Veterinarian Attitudes towards the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Programme in Spain: What Is Going on in the Field? Front Vet Sci 2017; 4:202. [PMID: 29230403 PMCID: PMC5712013 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The effectiveness of health interventions against bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is influenced by several "non-biological" factors that may hamper bTB detection and control. Although the engagement of stakeholders is a key factor for the eradication programme's success, social factors have been often ignored in the control programmes of animal diseases, especially in developed countries. In this study, we used a qualitative approach to investigate perceptions, opinions, attitudes, and beliefs of farmers, and veterinarians who may influence the effectiveness of the Spanish bTB eradication programme. The study was carried out in two phases. First, 13 key representatives of different groups involved in the programme were interviewed through exploratory interviews to identify most relevant themes circulating in the population. Interviews focused on strong and weak points of the programme; reasons for failure to achieve eradication; benefits of being disease free; future perspectives, and proposed changes to the programme. Based on these results, a thematic guide was developed and detailed information was gained through face-to-face in-depth interviews conducted on a purposive sample of 39 farmers and veterinarians. Data were analysed following an ethnographic methodology. Main results suggested that the bTB programme is perceived as a law enforcement duty without an adequate motivation of some stakeholders and a general feeling of distrust arose. The complexity of bTB epidemiology combined with gaps in knowledge and weak communication throughout stakeholders contributed to causing disbeliefs, which in turn generated different kinds of guesses and interpretations. Low reliability in the routine skin test for bTB screening was expressed and the level of confidence on test results interpretation was linked with skills and experience of public and private veterinarians in the field. Lack of training for farmers and pressure faced by veterinarians during field activities also emerged. Few benefits of being bTB free were perceived and comparative grievances referred to wildlife and other domestic reservoirs, sector-specific legislation for bullfighting farms, and the absence of specific health legislation for game hunting farms were reported. Understanding reasons for demotivation and scepticism may help institutions to ensure stakeholders' collaboration and increase the acceptability of control measures leading to an earlier achievement of eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Ciaravino
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ester Casal
- Departament de Sociologia/IGOP-GEPS-ARAG-UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Lopez
- Departament de Sociologia/IGOP-GEPS-ARAG-UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Espluga
- Departament de Sociologia/IGOP-GEPS-ARAG-UAB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Casal
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain.,Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)-Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sebastian Napp
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)-Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Allepuz
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain.,Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)-Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Haus JM, Eyler TB, Duda MD, Bowman JL. Hunter perceptions toward chronic wasting disease: Implications for harvest and management. WILDLIFE SOC B 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob M. Haus
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Delaware531 S College AvenueNewarkDE19716USA
| | - T. Brian Eyler
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources14038 Blairs Valley RoadClear SpringMD21722USA
| | - Mark D. Duda
- Responsive Management130 Franklin StreetHarrisonburgVA22801USA
| | - Jacob L. Bowman
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Delaware531 S College AvenueNewarkDE19716USA
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Markon MPL, Crowe J, Lemyre L. Examining uncertainties in government risk communication: citizens' expectations. HEALTH RISK & SOCIETY 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/13698575.2013.796344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Markon MPL, Lemyre L, Krewski D. Uncertainty beyond probabilities of BSE: appraisals predicting worry and coping strategies in the Canadian public. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2011; 74:226-240. [PMID: 21218348 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2011.529778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The impact of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is not limited to the infection with the BSE agent but also affects psychosocial responses, such as worry and loss of confidence in public authorities. It was shown in past crises that these reactions depended upon the way the event was perceived by the public. Understanding the nature of the perceptions of BSE is therefore of great importance for risk management in all phases of the risk, including the period before the onset of a crisis, when BSE is still only a pending threat to human health. This study analyzed data from a representative national survey of Canadians (n = 1,517) on the perceived risk of prion diseases. Factor analysis revealed emerging dimensions of BSE appraisals and regression analysis identified variables that predicted worry and coping strategies. Results yielded three significant factors, each relating differently to reactions to BSE: (1) Perceived impact, which combined perceived risk for health and likelihood of occurrence of BSE crises, was the main predictor of worry about eating tainted beef; (2) perceived mastery, consisting of personal knowledge and control, predicted taking action to avoid the disease; and (3) perceived intricacy, composed of perceived complexity and uncertainty, uniquely predicted trying to ignore BSE-related risks. Further regression analysis and analysis of variance exposed a moderating role of perceived intricacy on the relationship between perceived impact of BSE crises and worry. The implications of these findings for risk communication and management are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Pierre L Markon
- GAP-Santé Research Unit and School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 55 Laurier E., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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