Antibiotics prescription by veterinarians and its use by dairy farmers of Eastern Haryana region of India

Abstract

This study developed an index for assessing the antibiotic usage by adopting a systematic procedure for index construction; four dimensions under level of decision making regarding the use of antibiotics were selected namely symptom level, animal level, herd level and alternatives perceived. The Normalised Rank Order Method was used for determining the scale values. These dimensions were ranked according to judges‟ perceived significance and proportions were calculated accordingly while determining the values for each, by Guilford table. Based on the rating of judges, mean relevancy and overall mean relevancy scores were calculated. The statements having relevancy weightage (RW) > 0.70 and Mean Relevancy Score (MRS) greater than the Grand Mean Relevancy Score i.e., 1.75 were considered for inclusion in Antibiotic Usage Index (AUII) and finally 19 indicators were included in the index. A correlation of Index value with the socio- economic parameters of farmers were analysed in which it was found that herd size, education and milk sale significantly correlated with the Antibiotic Usage Index values among all the category (small, medium and large) farmers. However, highest correlation values were found for large farmers, followed by medium and small farmers, reveals the socio- economic adherence of farmers affecting the antibiotic usage of different categories of farmers. Among veterinarians it was found that the preference to generic drugs, concern to public health by reduced prescription of antibiotics and consideration to immune- competence while prescribing antibiotics was satisfactory.