title: An analysis of cattle farmers' perceptions of drivers and barriers to on-farm control of Escherichia coli O157.
abstract: Structural equation modelling and survey data were used to test determinants' influence on farmers' intentions towards Escherichia coli O157 on-farm control. Results suggest that farmers more likely to show willingness to spend money/time or vaccinate to control Escherichia coli O157 are those: who think farmers are most responsible for control; whose income depends more on opening farms to the public; with stronger disease control attitudes; affected by outbreaks; with better knowledge and more informed; with stronger perceptions of biosecurity measures' practicality; using a health plan; who think farmers are the main beneficiaries of control; and whose farms are dairy rather than beef. The findings might suggest that farmers may implement on-farm controls for E. coli O157 if they identify a clear hazard and if there is greater knowledge of the safety and efficacy of the proposed controls.
authors.affiliation: Land Economy, Environment and Society,SRUC,Edinburgh,UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Toma
authors.affiliation: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies,University of Edinburgh,Edinburgh,UK.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Low
authors.affiliation: Land Economy, Environment and Society,SRUC,Edinburgh,UK.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vosough Ahmadi
authors.affiliation: College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow,Glasgow,UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.affiliation: Future Farming Systems,SRUC,Edinburgh,UK.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Stott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001290:Attitude; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D019453:Escherichia coli O157; D022361:Escherichia coli Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D022361:Escherichia coli Vaccines
keywords: Attitudes and behaviour; E. coli O157 on-farm control; UK cattle farmers; information and knowledge; structural equation modelling