Influencing attitudes towards antimicrobial use and resistance in companion animals-the impact on pet owners of a short animation in a randomized controlled trial

Emma Wright; Lisbeth Rem Jessen; Alice Tompson; Catherine Rutland; David Singleton; Ian Battersby; Isuru Gajanayake; Margo Mosher; Sharon Pfleger; Toby Gemmill; Tim Sparks; Tina M Sørensen; Fergus Allerton

doi:10.1093/jacamr/dlae065

Influencing attitudes towards antimicrobial use and resistance in companion animals-the impact on pet owners of a short animation in a randomized controlled trial

JAC Antimicrob Resist. 2024 May 6;6(3):dlae065. doi: 10.1093/jacamr/dlae065. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK.
² Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 16, Frederiksberg C, 1870, Denmark.
³ Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
⁴ Simplyhealth, Hambledon House, Waterloo Court, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 1LQ, UK.
⁵ Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
⁶ Mars Veterinary Health, 18101 SE 6th Way, Vancouver, WA, 98683, USA.
⁷ Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service part of Linnaeus Veterinary Limited, Highlands Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 4NH, UK.
⁸ NHS Highland, Public Health Directorate, Larch House, Stoneyfield Business Park, Inverness, IV2 7PA, UK.
⁹ Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Freeby Lane, Waltham on the Wolds, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 4RT, UK.

Abstract

Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a vital One Health issue; the rational use of antimicrobials is essential to preserve their efficacy. Veterinarians cite pressure from pet owners as a contributor to antimicrobial prescription. Engaging pet owners in antimicrobial stewardship could reduce this pressure. A short educational animation could facilitate communication of this message. The impact of the animation on participant's opinions relating to antimicrobial prescribing and awareness of AMR was assessed via a randomized controlled trial.

Methods: A survey was created based on the health belief model. Owners attending six UK veterinary centres were randomized to the intervention or control group (ratio 1:1). All owners completed an agreement level survey of two questions followed by 18 statements scored using a Likert agreement scale. The control group responded without interruption, whereas the animation group was shown the animation after answering the first two questions and five statements.

Results: In total, 647 owners participated in the study; 350 complete responses were analysed. Responses to 10 of 13 statements asked after the animation were significantly different (all P < 0.050) between groups, whereas there was no significant difference between groups in response to any of the statements asked before the animation. The animation group were more likely to agree that lower antimicrobial use would help maintain future efficacy (P < 0.001) and that requesting antimicrobials from their vet could increase unnecessary use (P < 0.001). The animation group were more likely to disagree that they would expect antimicrobials if their pet had diarrhoea (P = 0.048).

Conclusions: Pet owners that watched a short AMR engagement animation displayed greater awareness of the impact of AMR and were more likely to support measures in line with antimicrobial stewardship. This behavioural-nudge resource could support owners towards contributing to a multi-faceted approach to AMR.