Factors Affecting Poultry Producers' Attitudes towards Biosecurity

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Veterinary Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Biosecurity is crucial for poultry health and preventing disease outbreaks.
• Understanding producer attitudes is key to improving biosecurity compliance.
• The ADKAR model provides a framework for assessing and influencing behavioral change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess poultry producers' attitudes towards biosecurity practices using the ADKAR model.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving biosecurity compliance.
• To identify factors influencing producer behavior in farm management decisions.

Main Methods:

• Surveyed 155 conventional poultry producers across seven European countries.
• Utilized the ADKAR (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement) model to score producer attitudes.
• Implemented targeted interventions such as coaching and participatory meetings.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in Awareness, Desire, and Knowledge elements of the ADKAR model post-intervention.
• Mean scores for Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, and Ability all increased after interventions.
• The Reinforcement component, assessed post-change, had an average score of 3.7 ± 0.7.

Conclusions:

• Educational interventions guided by an understanding of producer attitudes can effectively change behavior.
• Targeting specific ADKAR elements can enhance biosecurity compliance in poultry farming.
• The ADKAR model is a valuable tool for assessing and improving biosecurity practices in the poultry industry.