Knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance among livestock farmers in Botswana

IF 2.4 2区农林科学 Q1 VETERINARY SCIENCES

Preventive veterinary medicine Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-02-07 DOI:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2026.106804

Obuile O. Raboloko , Nametso D. Tlhako , Judah O. Lekgowe , Gregory T. Rakobe , Jonathan Strysko , Laurel Redding , Naledi Mannathoko , Kitso Mokgwathi , Tlhalefo D. Ntereke , Teresia Gatonye , Tshiamo Zankere , Basiamisi V.E. Segwagwe , Ebbing Lautenbach , Brianna E. Parsons , Solomon S. Ramabu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Improper antimicrobial use (AMU) in livestock production is a key driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Despite this, data on AMU among livestock farmers in low- and middle-income countries remains limited. The present study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding AMU and AMR amongst livestock farmers in Botswana.

Methods

A cross-sectional Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey was conducted among livestock farmers in southern Botswana, with participant recruitment facilitated by district veterinary service officers. Informed consent was obtained from all participants and surveys were administered by trained research personnel using visual aids to enhance participants recall. Responses to open-ended survey questions assessing knowledge were graded on a standardized 0–5 scale using a rubric while attitude and behavior questions were assessed using binary Yes/No responses.

Results

A total of 191 farmers participated in the study (71 % male; median age 52 years; median farming experience 14 years). All farmers (100 %,191/191), reported using either antimicrobials or anthelmintics (ivermectin), in the preceding 12 months, accounting for a total of 3322 treatment episodes. Tetracyclines were the most commonly used antimicrobials (53 %,1756/3322), followed by sulphonamides (18 %, 34/191). Cephalosporin, fluoroquinolone and aminoglycoside use was not reported. The farmers, who primarily reared cattle, small ruminants, and chickens, most commonly procured antimicrobials and anthelmintics at agriculture supply stores (91 %,174/191) typically with the guidance of veterinarians or animal health technician (veterinary paraprofessionals), but without a prescription from the veterinarians. Most farmers (66 %,127/191) used antimicrobials for treatment purpose, mainly to treat enteric illness. A total of 34 % of farmers (64/191) reported using antimicrobials for prophylactic purposes. Knowledge about the principles of prudent AMU was generally good although awareness of AMR was limited.

Conclusion

AMU was relatively common among livestock farmers in southern Botswana, primarily for treatment of diseases, with tetracyclines being the most commonly used antimicrobials. Overall, farmers demonstrated generally good knowledge about the principles of prudent AMU. However, comprehensive knowledge of AMR was sub-optimal, reaffirming the need for policy interventions to enhance antimicrobial stewardship in the livestock sector.

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博茨瓦纳畜牧农民与抗菌素使用和抗菌素耐药性相关的知识、态度和做法

畜牧业生产中抗生素使用不当（AMU）是抗生素耐药性（AMR）的一个关键驱动因素。尽管如此，低收入和中等收入国家畜牧农民的AMU数据仍然有限。本研究评估了博茨瓦纳畜牧农民关于AMU和AMR的知识、态度和实践（KAP）。方法在博茨瓦纳南部的畜牧农民中开展了一项知识、态度和实践（KAP）横断面调查，由地区兽医服务官员协助招募参与者。获得了所有参与者的知情同意，调查由训练有素的研究人员使用视觉辅助工具进行管理，以提高参与者的回忆。对开放式调查中评估知识的问题的回答使用一个标准的0-5分量表进行评分，而态度和行为问题则使用二元是/否回答进行评估。结果共有191名农民参与研究，其中71%为男性（ %），平均年龄52岁，平均农业经验14年。所有农民（100% %,191/191）报告在过去12个月中使用了抗菌剂或驱虫药（伊维菌素），总共治疗了3322次。四环素类药物是最常用的抗菌素（53 %,1756/3322），其次是磺胺类药物（18 %,34/191）。头孢菌素、氟喹诺酮和氨基糖苷类药物的使用未见报道。主要饲养牛、小反刍动物和鸡的农民最常在农业用品商店（91 %,174/191）采购抗菌剂和驱虫药，通常在兽医或动物卫生技术人员（兽医辅助专业人员）的指导下，但没有兽医的处方。大多数农民（66 %,127/191）将抗菌素用于治疗目的，主要用于治疗肠道疾病。共有34% %的农民（64/191）报告为预防目的使用抗菌素。尽管对抗菌素耐药性的认识有限，但对审慎抗菌素的原则的了解总体上是好的。结论在博茨瓦纳南部的畜牧养殖户中，amu较为常见，主要用于疾病治疗，其中四环素是最常用的抗菌素。总体而言，农民普遍表现出对审慎农牧原则的良好了解。然而，对抗菌素耐药性的全面了解并不理想，这再次表明需要采取政策干预措施，以加强畜牧业抗菌素管理。

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来源期刊

Preventive veterinary medicine 农林科学-兽医学

CiteScore

5.60

自引率

7.70%

发文量

184

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： Preventive Veterinary Medicine is one of the leading international resources for scientific reports on animal health programs and preventive veterinary medicine. The journal follows the guidelines for standardizing and strengthening the reporting of biomedical research which are available from the CONSORT, MOOSE, PRISMA, REFLECT, STARD, and STROBE statements. The journal focuses on: Epidemiology of health events relevant to domestic and wild animals; Economic impacts of epidemic and endemic animal and zoonotic diseases; Latest methods and approaches in veterinary epidemiology; Disease and infection control or eradication measures; The "One Health" concept and the relationships between veterinary medicine, human health, animal-production systems, and the environment; Development of new techniques in surveillance systems and diagnosis; Evaluation and control of diseases in animal populations.