Geographic and Socioeconomic Influence on Knowledge and Practices Related to Antimicrobial Resistance among Smallholder Pig Farmers in Uganda.

Barbara Wieland,Louis Okello,Michel Mainack Dione,Ulf Magnusson,Amia Christine Winfred,Sandra Nohrborg

doi:10.3390/antibiotics11020251

Abstract

To mitigate the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antibiotic use (ABU) in the livestock sector needs to be reduced. In low- and middle-income countries, regulations have shown to be less successful in reducing ABU. Here, a bottom-up approach can complement legal frameworks, which requires an understanding of the drivers for ABU. In this study, we investigated the influence of geographic and socioeconomic settings on determinants for ABU among pig farmers in Uganda. The data were collected through a questionnaire in two districts, Lira and Mukono, and comparative statistical analyses were performed. Farmers in Lira had less access to animal health services, applied disease prevention measures less and used antibiotics more. In Mukono, it was more common to consult a veterinarian in response to disease, while in Lira it was more common to consult an animal health worker. There was no difference in how many farmers followed treatment instructions from a veterinarian, but it was more common in Lira to follow instructions from pharmacies. The findings support the need for locally tailored AMR-reducing interventions to complement regulations. To accomplish this tailoring, systematic collection of knowledge of farm structures, farm practices and access to animal health services and veterinary drugs is necessary.

Highlights

Antimicrobials have been, and still are, invaluable tools in treating bacterial diseases in both humans and animals
Livestock contributed more to the Antibiotics 2022, 11, 251 household income in Lira than in Mukono and it was more common in Mukono to have the main income source outside the farm
Antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) development perspective, several of the analyzed farm characteristics can play important roles, such as number of pigs kept, housing system, number of animal species kept, use of hired workers and selling of live animals. Differences in such farm characteristics and socioeconomic factors between the investigated districts result in different challenges to reduce antibiotic use and imply the need for tailored interventions to be successful in mitigating the emergence of AMR at farm level

Summary

Introduction

Antimicrobials have been, and still are, invaluable tools in treating bacterial diseases in both humans and animals. Is a major threat to public and animal health [1,2]. Besides the direct health consequences, it may threaten food security and livelihoods, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) [3]. Even though AMR is a naturally occurring mechanism in bacteria [4,5,6], the widespread use of antibiotics in humans and livestock has accelerated this development. Since bacteria can spread between animals and humans [11], either directly or indirectly (e.g., through food products or the environment), AMR is a true ‘One Health’

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