Behavioural study to understand the intentions of veterinarians and paravets of Punjab towards antimicrobial use in dairy farming

Abstract

With rise in standard of living, animal and milk protein rich diet for human consumption is rising rapidly in India. Livestock Production Systems at present are associated with regular use of antimicrobials which increase selection pressure on microbes to become resistant. Research is needed to understand veterinarians and paravets psychological factors that influence decision-making on antimicrobial use for treating diseased animals in dairy farming empirically. To understand the intentions of Veterinarians and Paravets towards antimicrobial use in dairy farming, the research was carried out in purposively selected Punjab state and data collected from 60 veterinarians and 60 paravets. Theory of Planned behaviour based Likert type scale was developed in the context of antimicrobial use. Theory of Planned Behaviour analysis suggested that Subjective norms were significant and positively correlated with intention towards usage of antimicrobials for paravet. Outcome attitude was significantly and positively correlated with intention for veterinary doctor towards usage of antimicrobials. The veterinarians and paravets drivers and barriers that points towards intention of antimicrobials use is the crux which can help the policy makers to gain some insight to tackle this burning problem of antimicrobial resistance.