The ADKAR® change management model for farmer profiling with regard to antimicrobial stewardship in livestock production

Antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary practice and animal production is important from a One Health perspective. The ADKAR® change management model is a well-known strategy to implement behavioral change in people and small businesses. The objective of this study was to adapt the existing ADKAR® change management model to enable herd veterinarians to profile farmers with regard to antimicrobial stewardship. Therefore, an antimicrobial stewardship related scoring scale was defined. Subsequently, ADKAR® profiles of 26 poultry and 28 pig farmers from Belgium and the Netherlands were determined. For 57% of the farmers, perception and/or motivation were expected to limit successful change. For 70% of the farmers, knowledge and for 52% of the farmers, a lack of ability were the limiting factor. The ADKAR® model proved useful for identifying the key elements that prevent successful behavioral change in farmers to reduce the use of antibiotics in farm animals

The ADKAR® change management model for farmer profiling with regard to antimicrobial stewardship in livestock production

Antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary practice and animal production is important from a One Health perspective. The ADKAR® change management model is a well-known strategy to implement behavioral change in people and small businesses. The objective of this study was to adapt the existing ADKAR® change management model to enable herd veterinarians to profile farmers with regard to antimicrobial stewardship. Therefore, an antimicrobial stewardship related scoring scale was defined. Subsequently, ADKAR® profiles of 26 poultry and 28 pig farmers from Belgium and the Netherlands were determined. For 57% of the farmers, perception and/or motivation were expected to limit successful change. For 70% of the farmers, knowledge and for 52% of the farmers, a lack of ability were the limiting factor. The ADKAR® model proved useful for identifying the key elements that prevent successful behavioral change in farmers to reduce the use of antibiotics in farm animals

Coaching aids in reduction of antimicrobial use and resistance in Belgian and Dutch pig farms: I-4-1-health project results

Background and Objectives Reduction of antimicrobial use (AMU) is the first step in curbing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, influencing farmer behavior is challenging. In the i-4-1-health project in the Dutch(NL)-Belgian(BE) crossborder region, 29 pig farms were coached to reduce AMU and study effects on AMR. To assess farmer’s attitude and behavior towards AMU the ADKAR coaching tool, scoring for Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and Reinforcement was adjusted to use for farmers. Material and Methods Four farm visits were conducted on 29 farms with high AMU over 18 months. Biosecurity (BioCheck-UGent), technical performance, AMU (treatment incidence/100 days) and AMR were assessed. AMR was determined in Enterobacteriaceae from fecal samples (FecalSwab, Copan Italy) on selective agar plates (ChromID ESBL/CARBA/OXA-48, bioMérieux; McC-ciprofloxacin 2 mg/L, in house). Coaching started four weeks after the first visit, based on a tailor-made action plan. The farms were revisited twice to evaluate implementation and reinforce compliance and collect samples. MLE models with random farm and fixed country and time effects were used. Results The initial AMU in weaned pigs was 65% lower for NL versus BE farms and decreased with 53% in BE, and 7% for NL herds. Biosecurity scores significantly improved in BE farms, but overall were not significantly associated with AMU course on farms. High scores for farmer’s Awareness, Desire and Knowledge on AMU were significantly associated with lowering AMU. Ciprofloxacin-resistant (Cipro-R) and ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) were found more on BE compared to NL farms. No Carbapenem resistance was detected. A significant decrease in Cipro-R was observed over time, but not for ESBL-E. 36% of Cipro-R samples tested ESBL+, in contrast to 16% of Cipro-S samples (adjusted OR=2.4). Discussion and Conclusion Coaching towards improvemed infection control and prudent AMU resulted in clear reduction of AMU and the project provided insights in AMR on pig farms

Reduction of antimicrobial use and resistance in Belgian and Dutch pig farms; i-4-1-Health project results

Background and Objectives Reduction of antimicrobial use (AMU) is the first step in curbing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, influencing farmer behavior is challenging. In the i-4-1-health project in the Dutch(NL)-Belgian(BE) crossborder region, 29 pig farms were coached to reduce AMU and study effects on AMR. To assess farmer’s attitude and behavior towards AMU the ADKAR coaching tool, scoring for Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and Reinforcement was adjusted to use for farmers. Material and Methods Four farm visits were conducted on 29 farms with high AMU over 18 months. Biosecurity (BioCheck-UGent), technical performance, AMU (treatment incidence/100 days) and AMR were assessed. AMR was determined in Enterobacteriaceae from fecal samples (FecalSwab, Copan Italy) on selective agar plates (ChromID ESBL/CARBA/OXA-48, bioMérieux; McC-ciprofloxacin 2 mg/L, in house). Coaching started four weeks after the first visit, based on a tailor-made action plan. The farms were revisited twice to evaluate implementation and reinforce compliance and collect samples. MLE models with random farm and fixed country and time effects were used. Results The initial AMU in weaned pigs was 65% lower for NL versus BE farms and decreased with 53% in BE, and 7% for NL herds. Biosecurity scores significantly improved in BE farms, but overall were not significantly associated with AMU course on farms. High scores for farmer’s Awareness, Desire and Knowledge on AMU were significantly associated with lowering AMU. Ciprofloxacin-resistant (Cipro-R) and ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) were found more on BE compared to NL farms. No Carbapenem resistance was detected. A significant decrease in Cipro-R was observed over time, but not for ESBL-E. 36% of Cipro-R samples tested ESBL+, in contrast to 16% of Cipro-S samples (adjusted OR=2.4). Discussion and Conclusion Coaching towards improvemed infection control and prudent AMU resulted in clear reduction of AMU and the project provided insights in AMR on pig farms

Coaching aids in reduction of antimicrobial use and resistance in Belgian and Dutch pig farms: I-4-1-health project results

Background and Objectives Reduction of antimicrobial use (AMU) is the first step in curbing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, influencing farmer behavior is challenging. In the i-4-1-health project in the Dutch(NL)-Belgian(BE) crossborder region, 29 pig farms were coached to reduce AMU and study effects on AMR. To assess farmer’s attitude and behavior towards AMU the ADKAR coaching tool, scoring for Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and Reinforcement was adjusted to use for farmers. Material and Methods Four farm visits were conducted on 29 farms with high AMU over 18 months. Biosecurity (BioCheck-UGent), technical performance, AMU (treatment incidence/100 days) and AMR were assessed. AMR was determined in Enterobacteriaceae from fecal samples (FecalSwab, Copan Italy) on selective agar plates (ChromID ESBL/CARBA/OXA-48, bioMérieux; McC-ciprofloxacin 2 mg/L, in house). Coaching started four weeks after the first visit, based on a tailor-made action plan. The farms were revisited twice to evaluate implementation and reinforce compliance and collect samples. MLE models with random farm and fixed country and time effects were used. Results The initial AMU in weaned pigs was 65% lower for NL versus BE farms and decreased with 53% in BE, and 7% for NL herds. Biosecurity scores significantly improved in BE farms, but overall were not significantly associated with AMU course on farms. High scores for farmer’s Awareness, Desire and Knowledge on AMU were significantly associated with lowering AMU. Ciprofloxacin-resistant (Cipro-R) and ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) were found more on BE compared to NL farms. No Carbapenem resistance was detected. A significant decrease in Cipro-R was observed over time, but not for ESBL-E. 36% of Cipro-R samples tested ESBL+, in contrast to 16% of Cipro-S samples (adjusted OR=2.4). Discussion and Conclusion Coaching towards improvemed infection control and prudent AMU resulted in clear reduction of AMU and the project provided insights in AMR on pig farms