General practice veterinarians' attitudes towards avian influenza: A COM-B analysis of barriers to backyard poultry treatment.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The recent expansion of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 to non-avian species in the United States has intensified public health-related concerns. In Great Britain, low veterinarian confidence in seeing and treating birds creates potential barriers to HPAI diagnosis and reporting. METHODS: An online survey explored general practice (GP) veterinarians' confidence in and barriers to treating avian species and understanding HPAI control measures. The Capability, Opportunity, Motivation - Behaviour (COM-B) behaviour change model was used to identify barriers to treating birds and diagnosing HPAI. RESULTS: The survey generated 72 useable responses. Only 6% reported feeling fairly/very confident seeing birds, over 83% lacked confidence in ruling out HPAI as a differential diagnosis and 17.1% were unsure how to advise clients who suspected HPAI in their flocks. LIMITATIONS: The survey required an internet connection and some technical literacy. The sample size is relatively small and may over-represent veterinarians who have more confidence with poultry. CONCLUSIONS: GP veterinarians play critical roles in triaging, reporting and controlling HPAI. Behaviour change frameworks such as COM-B can facilitate the identification of interventions with the potential to address barriers to accurate HPAI diagnosis and reporting in Great Britain and beyond. However, these often require national-level rather than (or in addition to) individual-level action.