Abstract
Abstract The perceived risk of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens creates the necessity for understanding the role of the prescriber groups. Hence, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among veterinary practitioners to assess their understanding regarding antimicrobial prescribing and the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock. We collected responses from 100 veterinarians engaged in the large animal, poultry, and pet animal care practices. Proportions were calculated for categorical variables and the results were visualized. We revealed two key barriers: a lack of enough information and of training on the proper prescription of antimicrobials. Prescribing a wide variety of antimicrobials and doing incomplete courses of antimicrobial treatments were two very important causes pointed out by the respondents for the development of antimicrobial resistance. A number of highest-priority critically important antimicrobials (HP-CIAs) of human health were found to be used by veterinary practitioners. In addition to clinical features like types of organisms and severity of the disease, the availability of drugs in the local market and the economic conditions of farmers have the potential to influence the decisions of veterinarians in prescribing antimicrobials. The professional development of veterinarians and the maintenance of strong coordination are crucial to ensure the proper engagement of veterinarians as the front-line fighters for tackling the AMR issue.
Highlights
Drugs that kill or suppress different types of diseasecausing pathogens are called antimicrobials
In May 2017, Bangladesh introduced its national action plan (BNAP) for antimicrobial resistance containment based on the global action plan endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO)
Our target participants were all registered veterinarians involved in the treatment of large animals, poultry, and pet animals in the Chattogram district of Bangladesh, as well as intern doctors working in the teaching veterinary hospital under the Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), the only specialized veterinary university in the country
Summary
Drugs that kill or suppress different types of diseasecausing pathogens are called antimicrobials. They create a hostile environment for susceptible pathogen populations, which facilitate selective survival, and subsequently, the development of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an alarming global health crisis. Infections caused by resistant microbes might be associated with increased treatment costs and unexpected morbidity and mortality. Considering the high impact of AMR, by 2050, livestock production is expected to fall by 11% in low-income countries [2]. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock production as a growth promoter together with the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, has exacerbated the AMR problem. In May 2017, Bangladesh introduced its national action plan (BNAP) for antimicrobial resistance containment based on the global action plan endorsed by the WHO. BNAP prioritizes the sensible use of antimicrobials by the establishment and the implementation of standard treatment guidelines
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