National AMR context
In 2021, a human outbreak of S. suis was caused by a clone with reduced susceptibility to penicillin and resistant to tetracycline, erythromycin, clindamycin, linezolid and chloramphenicol. From a One Health perspective, vaccines should be a key component of strategies for preventing S. suis disease and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Effective strategies to strengthen control of pig infections will reduce transmission of S. suis to humans. However, there are currently no commercial vaccines against S. suis available.
Problem
In Thailand, the influence of gender biases, traditional gender norms, and inequitable regulatory frameworks within livestock farming, particularly regarding power imbalances between farm owners and farm workers, remains poorly understood. These dynamics may contribute to increased risks of exposure to zoonotic pig diseases, antimicrobial-resistant organisms, and indirect exposure to antimicrobial agents used in pig feed. Farm owners commonly employ workers as family units, often hiring husbands and wives together. However, leadership roles on pig farms are typically assigned to men. How these gender roles, power relations, and structural factors interact with vaccine implementation and potential AMR exposure has not yet been sufficiently explored and needs further investigation.
Project overview
In Thailand’s small-scale pig farms, the influence of gender biases and farm-level inequity on AMR is a critical and unexplored area. This creates significant barriers to adopting safer practices, such as using vaccines instead of antibiotics, which necessitates a deeper understanding of the context. The project aims to identify and address these gender-based and socio-economic barriers to vaccine uptake. Key objectives include raising stakeholder awareness of AMR risks, pinpointing specific obstacles to adoption, and promoting gender and equity in access to agricultural knowledge and innovations. Using a mixed-methods approach with diverse participants (farmers, veterinarians, industry), the project will establish a baseline through Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) surveys and qualitative interviews. Subsequently, targeted educational interventions, including co-designed training materials and workshops, will be implemented. A final post-intervention reassessment of KAP will then be used to evaluate the process.
Intended outcomes
This project is designed to generate actionable solutions that translate directly into impactful outcomes. Key outputs will include the development of evidence-based practice guidelines and strategic plans to inform national policy on swine vaccination and the control of zoonotic diseases like S. suis. A primary focus is addressing gender and equity. By identifying gender-specific risks and barriers to both vaccine uptake and antibiotic use, the project will produce guidelines for promoting good gender equality practices and reinforcing women’s rights in agriculture. The anticipated long-term impact is a significant reduction in AMR driven by prudent antimicrobial use. This will not only lower the incidence of occupational zoonotic infections but also promote gender and equity in access to knowledge and innovation. By enhancing the capabilities of women farmers and workers, the project aims to strengthen their role in driving the agricultural economic sector forward.
