The Kingston Lab is excited to share a new publication from Tigga and colleagues and published in Conservation Biology. This work took considerable time and careful thought to bring together. We’re very pleased to see it published and available to the wider bat research community, with important implications for wildlife research, field safety, and One Health.

The study analyzed responses from approximately 1,000 bat researchers and examined the factors influencing their intention to follow field hygiene practices, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Overall, the researchers found that bat researchers had a high intention to adopt field hygiene practices.

Mentors were the most influential source of encouragement, followed by regulatory bodies, fellow researchers, and mentees. The study also found that perceptions that hygiene practices were impractical or uncomfortable were important barriers to their adoption.

 A structural equation model of drivers of the intent to adopt field hygiene (FH) behaviors by nondisease bat researchers. The model is built around the Theory of Planned Behavior, and as can be seen here, intent to adopt field hygiene is strongly influenced by the subjective norm and perceived behavioral control.

We found that bat researchers recognize and accept the importance of protecting both bats and people and of preventing cross-contamination of samples. The findings highlight the significant role of senior researchers in modeling good field hygiene practices and encouraging students and early-career researchers to follow them. This study also emphasizes the need for education, practical solutions, and supportive policies in wildlife research.

Although the study focuses on bat researchers, its findings have broader implications for wildlife research and One Health, as fieldwork involving wild animals can create opportunities for pathogen transmission. Therefore, promoting strong field hygiene practices across the wildlife research community can help protect researchers, wildlife, and public health.

Find the full paper here: