Scientific Literacy of Equine Students Regarding the Use of Antibiotics and Vaccines

Transcription

1 South Dakota State University From the SelectedWorks of Sara Mastellar June 6, 2016 Scientific Literacy of Equine Students Regarding the Use of Antibiotics and Vaccines S.L. Mastellar, South Dakota State University R.C. Bott, South Dakota State University Available at:

2 SCIENTIFIC LITERACY OF EQUINE STUDENTS REGARDING THE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS AND VACCINES S. L. Mastellar & R. C. Bott, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA: contact There exists much misinformation about antibiotic and vaccine use. An understanding of these topics is important for the use of these tools for the best equine health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate students understanding of antibiotics and vaccines, identify learned misinformation, and establish baseline data. A survey was administered at the beginning of Equine Health & Disease (AS 213) and Horse Production (AS 365) at South Dakota State University during the spring 2016 semester. AS 213 is not a prerequisite for AS 365. Results of the survey suggest that students may come with some understanding of the concepts surrounding antibiotic and vaccine use (Table 1), but are willing to administer vaccines and antibiotics in situations where they are unwarranted (Table 2). This data suggests that misconceptions related to vaccine and antibiotic use exist in the student population and there may be a need for increased instructional emphasis on the application of vaccines and antibiotics in equine management. Table 1: Correct student responses (%) to knowledge base questions regarding antibiotics and vaccines at the beginning of AS 213 (n=38) and AS 365 (n=33) Question AS 213 AS 365 True or False. Antibiotics will kill viruses as well as bacteria Which of these is a major concern about the overuse of antibiotics? a. It can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria Many diseases may be cured by antibiotics. However, the success of some antibiotics against staph infections in horses has diminished in recent years. What is the reason for this? b. Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics True or False. Vaccines are effective immediately once administered True or False. A horse does not need to be vaccinated if it doesn t leave the property. True or False. A vaccination protocol is essential for ideal equine welfare Table 2: Student responses (%) at the beginning of AS 213 (n=38) and AS 365 (n=33) to "I would give an antibiotic or vaccine to a horse for (circle all that apply)" Response Antibiotic Vaccine AS 213 AS 365 AS 213 AS 365 a. Viral infections, such as the flu b. Cancer treatment, such as carcinoma c. Bacterial infections, such as Potomac Horse Fever d. Disease prevention, such as rabies e. Parasite removal, such as bots f. I would not give a horse antibiotics or vaccines Correct* Incorrect** *Only bacterial infections for antibiotic and only disease prevention for vaccine **Includes students that marked more than one choice

3 Scientific literacy of equine students regarding the use of antibiotics & vaccines S. L. Mastellar & R. C. Bott Contact

4 Outline Background Objective Methods Results Implications & future research

5 1993 MRSA outbreak at vet teaching hospital Antibiotics Future Vaccines Background: Societal issues Measles eradicated from US Documented MRSA transmission from horse to human Andrew Wakefield study retracted 2004 Andrew Wakefield study published Veterinary Feed Directive set to take effect in December Measles outbreak spreads from Disneyland 2015

6 Background: Scientific literacy A scientifically literate population has societal benefits Measures tend to focus on physical sciences Minimal inclusion of life sciences Vaccination Antibiotic resistance Evolution

7 Objectives 1Evaluate students understanding of antibiotics & vaccines 2ID learned misinformation 3Establish baseline data

8 Methods: Survey design Pre course assessment for demographics Source of current understanding Questions based on Pew Research Data and PISA Literacy Skills Application (circle all that apply) questions Survey design Approval #: IRB EXM

9 Methods: Courses AS 213: Equine Health & Disease AS 365: Horse Production Topic focus Pre requisites Equine diseases, disorders, & conditions None Production of horses in a capstone setting AS 104 (Intro to Horse Mgmt) or AS 101 (Intro to Animal Sci) Production option for Animal Science major? No Yes Required for Equine minor? Yes Yes

10 Methods: Survey administration Survey administered Survey administered Midterm

11 Statistics Results are presented as frequencies or percentages

12 Results: Demographics

13 Results: Demographics Primary discipline Rodeo Working/Ranch Trail/Packhorses Western Pleasure Hunt Seat Show Jumping Saddle Seat Reining Driving/Pulling None Other AS 213 (n = 38) AS 365 (n = 32) Frequency

14 Results: Demographics 40 Do you plan on pursuing the equine minor? Frequency Yes Maybe No 8 5 AS 213 (n = 37) AS 365 (n = 32)

15 20 Results: Demographics How many years of horse experience do you have? Frequency to 3 3 to 5 5 to 7 7 to to to AS 213 (n = 35) AS 365 (n = 30)

16 Results: Incoming knowledge source The primary source for my current understanding of antibiotics/vaccines is from: Antibiotics Vaccines Veterinarian Veterinarian College course(s) College course(s) Doctor Parents Parents Doctor High school High school Friends Friends Media Other Other Media AS 213 AS 365 AS 213 AS 365 Note: Frequencies given as many students marked more than one choice

17 Results: Scientific literacy True or False. Antibiotics will kill viruses as well as bacteria % correct Beginning End Beginning End 2009 AS 213 AS 365 U.S. adults Funk, C., Goo, S.K., A look at what the public knows and does not know about science. Pew Research Center. 54

18 Results: Scientific literacy Which of these is a major concern about the overuse of antibiotics? a) It can lead to antibiotic resistant bacteria % correct Beginning End Beginning End 2014 AS 213 AS 365 US adults Funk, C., Goo, S.K., A look at what the public knows and does not know about science. Pew Research Center.

19 Results: Scientific literacy Many diseases may be cured by antibiotics. However, the success of some antibiotics against staph infections in horses has diminished in recent years. What is the reason for this? b. Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics % correct *Includes US & western Europe **Includes Russia, Brazil, Indonesia Beginning End Beginning End OECD countries* AS 213 AS yr olds NonOECD countries** Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development., The UNESCO Institute for Statistics., Literacy skills for the world of tomorrow: Further results from PISA 2000.

20 Results: Scientific literacy Questions True or False. Vaccines are effective immediately once administered. True or False. A horse does not need to be vaccinated if it doesn t leave the property. True or False. A vaccination protocol is essential for ideal equine welfare. Beginning (n = 38) % correct AS 213 AS 365 End Beginning (n = 32) (n = 32) End (n = 27)

21 Results: Application I would give an antibiotic to a horse for (circle all that apply) Response % AS 213 AS 365 Beginning (n = 38) End (n = 31) Beginning (n = 33) End (n = 27) a. Viral infections, such as the flu b. Cancer treatment, such as carcinoma c. Bacterial infections, such as PHF d. Disease prevention, such as rabies e. Parasite removal, such as bots f. I would not give a horse antibiotics Correct* Incorrect** *Only bacterial infections **Includes students that marked more than one choice

22 Results: Application I would give a vaccine to a horse for (circle all that apply) Response % AS 213 AS 365 Beginning (n = 38) End (n = 32) Beginning (n = 32) End (n = 27) a. Viral infections, such as the flu b. Cancer treatment, such as carcinoma c. Bacterial infections, such as PHF d. Disease prevention, such as rabies e. Parasite removal, such as bots f. I would not give a horse vaccines Correct* Incorrect** *Only disease prevention **Includes students that marked more than one choice

23 Implications Veterinarians & college courses are major sources for incoming student knowledge on antibiotics and vaccines Students may arrive with a some memorized facts, but may not be able to apply the concepts in horse management situations Instructors in a potential position of impact Shifts in teaching may be required to students ability to apply knowledge

24 Future research Improved question wording Senior exit survey ongoing Assessment of teaching methods Long term content/concept retention?

25 Acknowledgements AS 213 students AS 365 students Bryan Goettsch Data entry extraordinaire

26 Questions? S. L. Mastellar & R. C. Bott Contact

27 References Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development., The UNESCO Institute for Statistics., Literacy skills for the world of tomorrow: Further results from PISA Funk, C., Goo, S.K., A look at what the public knows and does not know about science. Pew Research Center.

28 Countries participating in PISA Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development., The UNESCO Institute for Statistics., Literacy skills for the world of tomorrow: Further results from PISA