A socio-psychological investigation into limitations and incentives concerning reporting a clinically suspect situation aimed at improving early detection of Classical Swine Fever outbreaks

A.R.W. Elbers , M.J. Gorgievski-Duijvesteijn , P.G. van Der Velden , W.L.A. Loeffen , K. Zarafshani

The aim of this study was to identify limitations and incentives in reporting clinically suspect situations, possibly caused by Classical Swine Fever (CSF), to veterinary authorities with the ultimate aim to facilitate early detection of CSF outbreaks. Focus group sessions were held with policy makers from the veterinary authorities, and representatives of veterinary practitioners and pig farmer unions. Personal interviews with a small group of pig farmers and practitioners were held to check limitations raised and solutions proposed during the focus group sessions. An electronic questionnaire was mailed to pig farmers and practitioners to investigate perceptions and attitudes with respect to clinically suspect situations possibly caused by CSF. After triangulating the responses of veterinary authorities, veterinary practitioners and farmers, six themes emerged across all groups: 1) lack of knowledge on the early signs of CSF; 2) guilt, shame and prejudice; 3) negative opinion on control measures; 4) dissatisfaction with post-reporting procedures; 5) lack of trust in government bodies; 6) uncertainty and lack of transparency of reporting procedures.

Mots clés: Classical swine fever; Socio-psychological factors; Vigilance in reporting; Early detection

A.R.W. Elbers, M.J. Gorgievski-Duijvesteijn, P.G. van Der Velden, W.L.A. Loeffen, K. Zarafshani. A socio-psychological investigation into limitations and incentives concerning reporting a clinically suspect situation aimed at improving early detection of Classical Swine Fever outbreaks. Veterinary Microbiology, 2010, 142 (1-2), pp.108. ⟨10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.09.051⟩. ⟨hal-00578407⟩