Farmers’ attitudes towards antimicrobial use and awareness of antimicrobial resistance: a comparative study among turkey and rabbit farmers

摘要

We conducted a survey of attitudes towards antimicrobial use and awareness of antimicrobialresistance among turkey and rabbit farmers (N ? 117 and N ? 41, respectively) in Italy’s utmostturkey- and rabbit-producing region. We found either similarities or significant differencesbetween these two livestock sectors. Most farmers of both groups (72% of turkey farmers vs76% of rabbit farmers) reported that antimicrobials are properly used in their farms. Almostthree-quarters of the farmers reported that antimicrobials solve the health problem treated for.However, 47% of turkey farmers and 78% of rabbit farmers reported that antimicrobial usecould be decreased, with a 20–30% reduction being the most frequently chosen range. Geneticimprovement was reported to be the main factor able to reduce antimicrobial use in turkeys,whereas improvements in feed quality and microclimate were the main factors for rabbits. Mostfarmers reported that high antimicrobial use may affect the quality of meat products and behazardous to human health, but they also reported that antimicrobial resistance is mainlyrelated to antimicrobial use in humans. In conclusion, turkey and rabbit farmers have a generallypositive opinion on veterinary antimicrobial use, but also low levels of awareness of the negative impact on public health. Economic and structural factors of rabbit production industry mayexplain the differences observed. Farm veterinarians will be crucial to support farmers’ educationand the expected transition to lower antimicrobial use while maintaining high animal health/welfare standards.