Knowledge and attitudes towards food safety among Canadian dairy producers

Although farm biosecurity reduces the risk of disease spread among livestock, this knowledge is not always applied. Farmers’ application of disease preventive measures is expected to depend on many things, e.g. whether they consider disease prevention possible and demographic factors. In this study, Swedish livestock farmers’ perspectives on occurrence, control and communication related to infectious livestock diseases were investigated. A questionnaire study was performed in 2012–2013, and included responses from almost 2000 livestock farmers with cattle, pigs, sheep or goats. Associations between responses and factors related to herd type and demography were investigated using multivariable regression models. Results showed a strong general agreement among farmers that disease prevention is important. However, results also showed differing opinions among farmers. For example, female farmers indicated higher levels of perceived knowledge of disease spread and a stronger belief that they can prevent disease introduction. Results indicate that farmers who believe they have the necessary knowledge, have stronger sense of control and also demand that others take responsibility to prevent spread. Furthermore, dairy farmers were more likely to respond that repeated exposure to infections could be beneficial for animal health. The number of perceived disease outbreaks was also higher among these farmers. Regarding government issued compensation to farmers in case of outbreaks, a wide range of opinions were recorded. Responses confirm that the farm veterinarian is an important source of disease information and several different communication channels are needed to reach farmers. In conclusion, our results show that factors such as gender, education level and age influence how prevention and occurrence of disease outbreaks are perceived and best communicated. We suggest that efforts are made to increase knowledge about disease prevention among farmers and veterinary practitioners and that farm veterinarians should be encouraged to motivate farmers to strengthen farm biosecurity.

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“…Insufficient knowledge about infectious diseases and biosecurity has been found in other studies (Young et al . ; Laanen et al . ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differing perceptions – Swedish farmers’ views of infectious disease control

Frössling

Nöremark²

2016

Veterinary Medicine & Sci

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“…While in the Jahed et al study, this rate was 75% (21). Young et al in one study observed more than 80% poor attitude toward consuming raw food that may have a risk of food poisoning (24). The Jahed study showed that 30% of soldiers were aware that sterilized milk requires storing in a refrigerator (21).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on attitudes of students of Islamic Azad University Tehran Medical Branch toward food safety, 2016

et al. 2017

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BackgroundGiven the importance of high-quality healthy food for humans, contamination control is the most important concern for healthy staff.AimTo determine the attitudes of students at Islamic Azad University (Tehran Medical Branch) toward food safety.MethodsThis cross-sectional and analytic-descriptive study was conducted on 326 students of Azad University of Medical Sciences in 2016. A self-made questionnaire consisting of 40 questions was used. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using internal consistency method (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.80). After collecting data, we use descriptive statistical indexes (mean and standard deviation) among demographic variables and the level of knowledge to describe and analyze the data. The participants’ attitudes and operation are measured by Spearman tests, and the analytical results are given using SPSS version 20.ResultsAccording to the findings, 55.3, 30 and 14.7 percent of students had high, moderate and low attitude scores toward food safety, respectively. In addition, male and female students had equal attitudes toward food safety, and no significant relationship between sex and attitude was observed a significant difference (p>0.05), but between educational levels (p=0.008) and ages (p=0.001) of students significance was a positive correlation.ConclusionsDue to the low attitudes score of about half of the students of Islamic Azad University Tehran Medical Branch toward food safety, it can be claimed, food safety training in this community is required.

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“…However, research has been focused on the investigation of attitudes and beliefs towards food safety, biosecurity and AMU in food-producing animals (Vaarst et al, 2002;Jansen et al, 2009;Lastein et al, 2009;Ellis-Iversen et al, 2010;Young et al, 2010). There is an extensive body of qualitative research literature in relation to AMU in humans but to our knowledge this is limited in small animals (Sahoo et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%