Categorisation of Antimicrobial Use in Fijian Livestock Production Systems.

Xavier Khan,Caroline Rymer,Rosemary Lim,Partha Ray

doi:10.3390/antibiotics11030294

Xavier Khan, Caroline Rymer + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11030294

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Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global threat to human and animal health. The use of antimicrobials in the livestock sector is considered to contribute to AMR. Therefore, a reduction in and prudent use of antimicrobials in livestock production systems have been advocated. This cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate the extent of imprudent antimicrobial use (AMU) and to determine whether the AMU practice was affected by either the farming system or species of farmed livestock in the largest island (Viti Levu) of Fiji. A total of 276 livestock enterprises were surveyed and antimicrobials were used on 309 occasions over 90 days. Overall, in 298 of 309 (96%) incidents, antimicrobials were used imprudently, comprising antibiotics, 160 of 170 (94%) and anthelmintics, 138 of 139 (99%). Prudent use of antibiotics was associated with commercial farming systems (X2 = 13, p = 0.001), but no association was observed with anthelmintic use (p > 0.05). Imprudent antibiotic use was associated with dairy (OR = 7.6, CI = 1.41, 41.57, p = 0.018) followed by layer and beef (p > 0.05) compared to broiler enterprises. Imprudent AMU was more common in the backyard and semi-commercial enterprises compared to commercial broiler enterprises. Policies promoting the prudent use of antimicrobials in Fiji should focus on smaller livestock production systems and enterprises.

Highlights

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global threat to human and animal health [1]
Our recent study demonstrated moderately high use of antimicrobials which varied by systems and enterprises; the quantity of antimicrobials used does not demonstrate whether the antimicrobials were used prudently [46]; this study aimed to investigate the extent of imprudent Antimicrobial use (AMU) in Fiji, and to determine whether this was affected by either farming system or species of farmed livestock
The actual administration on the farm depends on the farmers’ decision-making process where the farmers’ intention, attitude and available resources play a fundamental role in deciding the AMU [48], which differs from the United Kingdom (UK), where the antibiotics are only prescribed by the veterinarians while anthelmintics by a pharmacist or suitably qualified person or a veterinarian [49]

Summary

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global threat to human and animal health [1]. Antimicrobial use (AMU) in the livestock sector has been considered to contribute to the AMR issue [1,2]. A reduction and a prudent use of antimicrobials in livestock production systems have been advocated [1–3]. Food of animal origin is produced using traditional systems in non-commercial farming settings for food and socio-economic security worldwide [4–6]. In recent times, increasing demand for foods of animal origin (meat, milk, and eggs) has contributed to the intensification and commercialisation of livestock production systems locally and globally [7–9]. Larger flocks/herds of animals are produced in smaller confinements (sheds, cages, and paddocks) and in a shorter duration than traditional, extensive and free-range systems [6,8,10]. Backyard farming systems continue to produce livestock for domestic consumption, while semi-commercial farmers who are market-orientated produce livestock for domestic consumption and sale [11,12]

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