Analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness of a poultry biosecurity and disease prevention curriculum

Kyle Richard Kohlhagen, Purdue University

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a poultry biosecurity and disease prevention curriculum. Objectives of this study included the determination of demographic information of participants, including 4-H and FFA involvement, date of birth, residing county, previous biosecurity training experience, gender, years in the 4-H project, and size of flock. Other objectives were to determine the knowledge level and attitudes of backyard flock owners in Indiana on biosecurity issues before and after an educational presentation concerning poultry biosecurity, and to determine if selected demographic variables influenced the change in knowledge and/or attitude of participants after an educational presentation concerning poultry biosecurity. The instrument used in this study was created by the researcher with information gathered from the United States Department of Agriculture, the Cooperative Extension Service, the Indiana State Poultry Association, and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health to assess the knowledge and attitudes of participants on poultry biosecurity issues. Of the 215 participants, half were 4-H members, 20% considered themselves poultry producers, and nearly 90% had no previous biosecurity training. Gender was balanced with 53% of the participants being female. Results from statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in both knowledge and attitude scores from the pretest to the posttest. Both differences in attitude and knowledge test scores were significant at the p < 0.05 level. The posttest scores for knowledge were higher than the pretest scores, and the posttest scores for attitude were not the same as pretest scores. It is recommended this poultry biosecurity education program be continued and used to help improve overall health of poultry through the use of biosecurity and disease prevention in Indiana and adapted for other states.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Balschweid, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Agricultural education

Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server
.

Share

COinS