Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

Exploring farmer and advisor lameness management behaviours using the COM-B model of behaviour change

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Beth ClarkORCiD, Dr Amy Proctor

Downloads


Licence

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

This paper applies the COM-B framework to farmer and farm advisor understandings and responses to lameness in sheep, beef, and dairy systems. It reflects on how farmers’ and advisors’ capability, opportunity, and motivation (COM-B) influence lameness management practices in these farming systems, and considers the interaction between these three factors, and stakeholders’ behaviour. Interviews with 29 farmers and 21 farm advisors in the north of England were conducted. Thematic analysis was undertaken with results categorised in relation to the COM-B framework focusing on barriers and enablers of lameness management. Use of the COM-B model provides a useful means of understanding the underlying behavioural mechanisms that contribute towards the persistence of lameness. This includes the complexities and interactions which hamper implementation of lameness management best practice. The findings highlight three key areas to address with interventions to improve lameness management on farm: 1) removing physical and social barriers for lameness management; 2) improving psychological capability and motivation for lameness management; and 3) facilitating relationships and developing communication between farmers and advisors. In particular, the value of exploring both farmer and advisor perspectives on behaviour in the animal health context is demonstrated. Future interventions should look to target these three areas to overcome barriers and focus on factors that enable positive lameness practices to occur.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Clark B, Proctor A, Mahon N, Holloway L

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Frontiers in Veterinary Science

Year: 2024

Volume: 11

Online publication date: 17/01/2024

Acceptance date: 03/01/2024

Date deposited: 10/01/2024

ISSN (electronic): 2297-1769

Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation

URL: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1258906

DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1258906

Data Access Statement: The datasets presented in this study can be found in online repositories. The interview transcripts for this study will be available in the UK Data Archive following an embargo period. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 13 frontiersin.org Clark et al. 10.3389/fvets.2024.1258906 For questions about the data availability please contact the corresponding author.


Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric


Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
209818/Z/17/Z
Wellcome Trust

Share