Evaluation of factors associated with immunoglobulin G, fat, protein, and lactose concentrations in bovine colostrum and colostrum management practices in grassland-based dairy systems in Northern Ireland

Abstract Background Diarrhoea remains a significant cause of child morbidity and mortality in Iraq. The objective of this study was to examine the current practices of home-based management of diarrhoeal illnesses among Iraqi children. We surveyed mothers of children below five years of age in order to identify the socio-demographic factors associated with maternal health-care seeking practices. Methods A total of 500 mother-child pairs were interviewed in a cross-sectional household survey in Thi-Qar Governorate, south-eastern Iraq between March 2016 and February 2017. Logistic and multinomial regression models were utilized to infer socio-demographic predictors of the health-care seeking and alternative management practices adopted by the mothers. Results The interviewees reported that 35.2% of their children had diarrhoea in the two weeks prior to the survey. The least likelihood of reported occurrence of diarrhoea was among mother-child pairs where the mothers had received university education, as compared to mothers who were illiterate or received only primary or secondary education. Lower odds (OR=0.4, P-value <0.001) of reported childhood diarrhoea was revealed among mothers aged >25 years old compared to those younger. Self-ordered medicine from a pharmacy was the most preferred alternative management option in almost half (52.4% (262/500)) of the interviewed mothers in Thi-Qar. Interestingly, 69.6% (348/500) of the mothers reported supplying their children suffering from diarrhoea with antibiotics. Relative to mothers with university education, those with high school education had more likelihood of selecting medical center (relative risk ratio (rrr) = 2.4) and pharmacy (rrr = 3.7) as against no treatment. Conclusions Lower maternal educational level, mothers' age <25 and the district of residence were important factors associated with diarrhoea occurrence among under-five children. In light of the findings from this study, intervention aimed at improving health-care seeking for managing diarrhoea in Iraqi children should jointly consider the influence of mothers age, education, as well as the level of economic status of the communities in which mothers of these children resides. The results of this study indicate the need for enhancing public health education in order to improve the maternal management of diarrhoeal disease and the avoidance of unnecessary use of antimicrobials.

Download Full-text

Awareness of Employee Stress Response: How Employers Can Mitigate Workplace Burnout and Workplace Depression

NHRD Network Journal ◽

10.1177/2631454118800855 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 78-82

Author(s):

Tony Deblauwe

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Neuroscience ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Management Practices ◽

Building Blocks ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Leadership Management ◽

Social Cognitive Neuroscience ◽

Prosocial Behaviours ◽

The Brain ◽

Effective Conditions

By examining the science behind leadership, management practices and how they relate to social cognitive neuroscience, we can understand how to target the most effective conditions for preventing workplace burnout and workplace depression. This process begins with the ability of managers to recognise and react responsively to create a culture of trust within the organisation, and identify and promote prosocial behaviours to prevent feelings of disengagement and displacement. This review discusses how one’s ability to inspire employees is particularly important, because followers with low self-concepts are drawn to a highly personalised vision. Through the promotion of the brain chemical, oxytocin, the material presents eight building blocks to promote a culture of trust, while mitigating the factors associated with workplace burnout and workplace depression.

Download Full-text

Prevalence and risk factors associated with Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella enterica in livestock raised on diversified small-scale farms in California

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s095026881900205x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 147 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. F. A. Pires ◽

L. Patterson ◽

E. A. Kukielka ◽

P. Aminabadi ◽

N. Navarro-Gonzalez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Salmonella Enterica ◽

Management Practices ◽

Risk Mitigation ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Farm Size ◽

Small Scale ◽

Animal Products ◽

Factors Associated

Abstract Diversified farms are operations that raise a variety of crops and/or multiple species of livestock, with the goal of utilising the products of one for the growth of the other, thus fostering a sustainable cycle. This type of farming reflects consumers' increasing demand for sustainably produced, naturally raised or pasture-raised animal products that are commonly produced on diversified farms. The specific objectives of this study were to characterise diversified small-scale farms (DSSF) in California, estimate the prevalence of Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter spp. in livestock and poultry, and evaluate the association between farm- and sample-level risk factors and the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. on DSSF in California using a multilevel logistic model. Most participating farms were organic and raised more than one animal species. Overall Salmonella prevalence was 1.19% (95% confidence interval (CI95) 0.6–2), and overall Campylobacter spp. prevalence was 10.8% (CI95 = 9–12.9). Significant risk factors associated with Campylobacter spp. were farm size (odds ratio (OR)10–50 acres: less than 10 acres = 6, CI95 = 2.11–29.8), ownership of swine (OR = 9.3, CI95 = 3.4–38.8) and season (ORSpring: Coastal summer = 3.5, CI95 = 1.1–10.9; ORWinter: Coastal summer = 3.23, CI95 = 1.4–7.4). As the number of DSSF continues to grow, evaluating risk factors and management practices that are unique to these operations will help identify risk mitigation strategies and develop outreach materials to improve the food safety of animal and vegetable products produced on DSSF.

Download Full-text

Characterization of the factors associated with the growth phase of dairy cattle in family farming

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2018v39n4p1653 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 1653

Author(s):

Rodrigo De Andrade Ferrazza ◽

Gilvando Fabio Uliana de Moura ◽

Marcos Aurélio Lopes

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Growth Phase ◽

Management Practices ◽

Production Systems ◽

Family Farming ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Family Farmers ◽

Survey Form ◽

Husbandry System ◽

Transition Milk

The aim of this study was to characterize the factors associated with the growth phase of dairy cattle used in family farming. We investigated 20 family-run milk production systems located in the Conceição de Ipanema municipality, MG, Brazil. Farmers were interviewed using a semi-structured survey form containing 152 questions. The questions were aimed at characterizing the farmer, herd, and husbandry system at pre- and post-weaning phases. Data were processed by using Sphinx® software, and descriptive analyses were performed in MS Excel® software. The results showed strengths, including navel healing (100%), location of the calf housing above (45%) or next to the pen (35%), and existence of a sanitary calendar (90%). However, several limitations in the management of calves and heifers were identified, such as lack of zootechnical bookkeeping (55%), manual milking with calf at the foot (65%), absence of herd sizing (100%), no routine weighing of calves (95%), incorrect colostrum management (80%), non-supply of transition milk to calves (85%), and likely failure to diagnose diseases by a fraction of the farmers. Thus, training regarding adequate management practices by extension technicians is imperative, along with the formulation of public policies that comply with the aspirations of family farmers, while promoting their economic and social sustainability.

Download Full-text

The Reasons Why Suspects Confess during Custodial Interrogation: Data for Northern Ireland

Medicine Science and the Law ◽

10.1177/002580249203200304 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 204-212 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

G H Gudjonsson ◽

I Bownes

Keyword(s):

Northern Ireland ◽

Internal Pressure ◽

External Pressure ◽

Police Interrogation ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Property Offences

This study looks at the reasons offenders give for having confessed during police interrogation. A number of hypotheses were tested, following the work of Gudjonsson and Petursson (1991) on an Icelandic prison sample. The subjects were 80 offenders who were serving prison sentences in Northern Ireland for violence, sex or property offences. The subjects completed the Gudjonsson Confession Questionnaire. All of the hypotheses tested were supported, indicating that there are three primary factors associated with the reasons why criminals make confessions during interrogation. These factors are referred to as Internal Pressure, External Pressure and Proof. The factors were found to be associated with the type of offence committed and the attitude of the offender towards his confession.

Download Full-text

A cross-sectional study on feather cover damage in Canadian laying hens in non-cage housing systems

BMC Veterinary Research ◽

10.1186/s12917-019-2168-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Caitlin Decina ◽

Olaf Berke ◽

Nienke van Staaveren ◽

Christine F. Baes ◽

Tina M. Widowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Egg Production ◽

Management Practices ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Control Measure ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Linear Regression Modeling

Abstract Background Feather damage (FD) resulting from feather pecking remains a concern in non-cage housing systems for laying hens worldwide. This study aimed to identify bird-, housing-, and management-related factors associated with FD in non-cage housing systems as the egg production sector phases out the conventional cage system in Canada. A survey on housing and management practices was developed and distributed to 122 laying hen farms where 39 respondents provided information on non-cage flocks. Farmers visually assessed 50 birds throughout the barn for FD using a 0–2 scoring scale according to severity. Prevalence of FD was calculated as the percentage of birds with any form of FD (score > 0). Multivariable linear regression modeling was used to identify factors associated with FD prevalence. Results Six variables were included in the final model and accounted for 64% of the variation in FD between farms. FD prevalence was higher with increasing flock age (0.9% ± 0.29) and when birds were housed in all wire/slatted barns compared with all litter barns (37.6% ± 13.1). Additionally, FD prevalence tended to be higher in barns with manure removal only after depopulation (20.1% ± 10.70). Enrichment also tended to be associated with higher FD (19.1% ± 8.04), possibly indicating that it was provided after FD was observed as a control measure, or, was not efficient in reducing the development of FD. Conclusions These findings emphasize the role of litter provision and management (e.g., manure removal effects on air quality), and its potential impact on FD among laying hens in non-cage housing systems in Canada. Further longitudinal and/or intervention studies are needed to assess the potential of the identified factors to function as a management strategy to prevent or reduce FD in non-cage housed laying hens.

Download Full-text

Risk factors associated with the antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitis

Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-736x2014001000004 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 34 (10) ◽

pp. 947-952 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Daniele C. Beuron ◽

Cristina S. Cortinhas ◽

Bruno G. Botaro ◽

Susana N. Macedo ◽

Juliano L. Gonçalves ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽

Management Practices ◽

Bovine Mastitis ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Treatment Procedures

The objective of this study was to evaluate herd management practices and mastitis treatment procedures as risk factors associated with Staphylococcus aureus antimicrobial resistance. For this study, 13 herds were selected to participate in the study to evaluate the association between their management practices and mastitis treatment procedures and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility. A total of 1069 composite milk samples were collected aseptically from the selected cows in four different periods over two years. The samples were used for microbiological culturing of S. aureus isolates and evaluation of their antimicrobial susceptibility. A total of 756 samples (70.7%) were culture-positive, and S. aureus comprised 27.77% (n=210) of the isolates. The S. aureus isolates were tested using the disk-diffusion susceptibility assay with the following antimicrobials: ampicillin 10mg; clindamycin 2μg; penicillin 1mg; ceftiofur 30μg; gentamicin 10mg; sulfa-trimethoprim 25μg; enrofloxacin 5μg; sulfonamide 300μg; tetracycline 30μg; oxacillin 1mg; cephalothin 30μg and erythromycin 5μg. The variables that were significantly associated with S. aureus resistance were as follows: the treatment of clinical mastitis for ampicillin (OR=2.18), dry cow treatment for enrofloxacin (OR=2.11) and not sending milk samples for microbiological culture and susceptibility tests, for ampicillin (OR=2.57) and penicillin (OR=4.69). In conclusion, the identification of risk factors for S. aureus resistance against various mastitis antimicrobials is an important information that may help in practical recommendations for prudent use of antimicrobial in milk production.

Download Full-text