Veterinary Healthcare Provision and Quality of Reported Data on Antimicrobial Use in the Treatment of Livestock in Sierra Leone, 2016-2019.

Amara Leno,Mohamed Alpha Bah,Amara Aidara Sheriff,Ajay M V Kumar,Walter Kizito,Amadu Tejan Jalloh,Maria Zolfo,Sorie Mohamed Kamara,Katrina Hann,Pruthu Thekkur

doi:10.3390/tropicalmed6020073

Abstract

Antimicrobials help in the prevention and treatment of infections and are crucial for animal production, but overuse can result in antimicrobial resistance. Hence, understanding data quality on livestock antimicrobial use is essential. We assessed frequency of reporting, completeness, and concordance of reported data and availability of human resources and infrastructure in 14 districts in Sierra Leone. This was a cross-sectional study involving a review of district and sub-district animal treatment forms submitted from January 2016 to August 2019. Out of the 14 districts, only 3 had filled forms available for review: A total of 6 (0.97% of 616 expected) district forms and 79 (1.15% of 6840 expected) sub-district forms. Data between district and sub-district treatment forms were fully discordant. Hence, completeness of data could not be assessed. All districts had livestock officers (barring one) and livestock assistants but no veterinarians. The gap in community animal health workers ranged from 14 to 100% per district. No districts had a functional computer or internet access. Reporting was non-existent in 11 districts and poor in the other 3. Resources are urgently needed to address critical gaps in human resources and capacity and computer and Internet connectivity to develop critical One Health surveillance functions at the national and sub-national levels.

Highlights

IntroductionAntimicrobials help in the prevention and treatment of infections and play a critical role in animal production
Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials has been associated with the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), threatening both human and animal health, food security, and sustainable development [1]
Our findings indicate that no data were available at the national level on livestock antibiotic uses, and, the scarce data available at the district level were not a true reflection of the data coming from the community

Summary

Introduction

Antimicrobials help in the prevention and treatment of infections and play a critical role in animal production. Their use is necessary for food security and animal welfare. Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials has been associated with the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), threatening both human and animal health, food security, and sustainable development [1]. The impact of the use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals has been the subject of public debates, and the World Organization for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties, OIE) has highlighted the need to regulate antimicrobial use in order to prevent the emergence and spread of resistant organisms in humans and animals and into the environment [2]. A systematic review and meta-analysis conducted in 2017 showed that interventions that restricted antibiotic use in food-producing animals were associated with a reduction in antibiotic-resistant bacteria in these animals and in turn reduced the potential for resistance in human populations, especially those who are in direct exposure to such food-producing animals [3]

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