Small pig stakeholders' knowledge of foreign animal diseases: Baseline knowledge and impact of an outreach session

The emergence and rapid spread of Foreign Animal Diseases (FADs) pose ongoing threats to animal and human health. Specifically, the swine industry faces constant risks of disease introduction, with African Swine Fever among the foremost concerns. Despite numerous national and local initiatives aimed at supporting swine stakeholders in FAD preparedness, the focus has predominantly been on large commercial operations, neglecting small-scale stakeholders. This study aimed to assess baseline knowledge and evaluate the effectiveness of an outreach session within small swine stakeholders in the state of Ohio, United States. Utilizing pre- and post-session surveys, we measured changes in short-term knowledge levels among 31 participants across five sessions. Results indicated a significant improvement in participants' knowledge post-session regarding various aspects of FADs recognition, transmission, and outbreak response. Additionally, our analysis identified educational level as the sole factor significantly associated with higher pre-session knowledge levels. These findings highlight the potential of outreach programs designed for small-scale stakeholders to improve biosecurity practices and FAD preparedness.