Practices and drivers for antibiotic use in cattle production systems in Kenya

• DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100646
• Publication Date: 2023-10-30T19:04:59Z
• Authors: Lydiah Kisoo; Dishon M. Muloi; Walter Oguta; Daisy Ronoh; Lynn Kirwa; James Akoko; Eric M. Fèvre; Arshnee Moodley; Lillian Wambua
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; LMIC; Medicine (General); Livestock; R5-920; cattle; animal production; antimicrobial resistance; Antimicrobial resistance; 3. Good health; Semi-intensive; Research Paper

Understanding antibiotic use in livestock systems is key combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and developing effective interventions. Using a standardised questionnaire, we investigated the patterns drivers of 165 cattle farms across three major production Kenya: intensive, extensive, semi-intensive counties: Machakos, Makueni Narok Kenya. We used causal diagram to inform regression models explore study farms. Antibiotic was reported 92.7% farms, primarily for prophylactic purposes. Oxytetracycline, penicillin, streptomycin were most antibiotics treat control diseases including mastitis, diarrhoea East Coast fever (ECF). Regression analysis indicated positive association between frequency at farm level both disease incidence herd size. Conversely, that provided with appropriate housing less likely antibiotics, there no difference those who consulted veterinarians or sourced directly from animal health providers. Our highlights complexities around understanding interplay practices use. It also underscores necessity enhance education regarding usage among farmers, encourage adoption proper management which may reduce burden, reinforce veterinary services supportive legislation promote prudent antimicrobials.