Abstract
ObjectivesAntibiotics are important for improving animal health and production. However, the deposition of its residues in food of animal origin intended for human consumption at non-permissible levels has generated global health concern and the need to tackle this using the “One Health Approach”. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of 286 cattle handlers in Kwara State, Nigeria.MethodsA web-based cross sectional online survey using a semi-structured questionnaire was conducted from November to December, 2019. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed at 95% confidence interval to determine predictors of good knowledge and practices towards Antibiotic Residues in Meat and Milk among cattle handlers.ResultsThis study revealed that majority (52.7% n = 165/286) of the cattle handlers were not aware of antibiotic residues. Knowledge and practices regarding antibiotic residues were generally poor among the study population; 36.7% and 35.5% had satisfactory knowledge and practice respectively. The age (p = 0.026), gender (p = 0.006) and business duration (p = 0.001) of participants were significantly associated with their knowledge of antimicrobial residues. The effect of education on knowledge was modified by age. The odds of having poor knowledge on antibiotic residues increased 4 times among participants who were ≤40 years old than those above 40 years (Stratum Specific OR = 3.65; CI = 1.2, 11.1; p = 0.026). Knowledge levels of participants were statistically associated with their practice levels p<0.05 (OR = 2.43; CI = 1.45. 4.06; p = 0.0006).ConclusionThis implies that poor knowledge is a risk factor to having poor practice among cattle handlers. Deliberate efforts towards educating cattle farmers on best farm practices in antibiotic use would prevent antibiotic residues in meat and milk. Also, an effective surveillance system for monitoring the use of veterinary drugs in Kwara State, Nigeria is crucial.
Highlights
Nigeria is one of the four leading livestock producers in Sub-Sahara Africa
This study revealed that majority (52.7% n = 165/286) of the cattle handlers were not aware of antibiotic residues
Confidence Interval; FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization; FMAE&H, Federal Ministries of Agriculture, Environment and Health; FMARD, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; GDP, Gross Domestic Product; HICs, High Income Countries; Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus; LGAs, Local Government Areas; low and middle income countries (LMICs), Low and Middle Income Countries; Odds ratios (OR), Odds Ratio; OTC, Over-the-counter; TB, Tuberculosis; VCPR, Veterinarian-Client-PatientRelationship; WHO, World Health Organization; X2, Chi Square. This implies that poor knowledge is a risk factor to having poor practice among cattle handlers
Summary
The livestock subsector is an important and integral component of Nigeria’s agriculture and a major source of food security. Cattle are the single most important livestock species in terms of outputs and capital value [1]. In 2007, Nigeria’s national livestock population was estimated to consist of 16 million cattle [2, 3]. Antimicrobial drugs in animals are used for three major purposes namely: therapeutic, prophylactic and as growth promoters [4, 5]. Previous studies have confirmed the inappropriate use of these drugs in animals by livestock owners and pastoralists [6]. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animals has been linked to accumulation of antibiotic residues in foods of animal sources intended for consumption and selection pressure for antibiotic resistant bacteria in both animals and humans
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