Determinants of animal disease and nontherapeutic antibiotic use on smallholder livestock farms
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Emes E
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10978738 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public health issue. In India, access to medicines is poorly regulated and therefore antibiotics in dairy cattle are commonly used by farmers without consulting with veterinarians. This study was conducted to understand practices and knowledge related to antibiotic use and AMR among dairy farmers and veterinary professionals in selected urban and peri-urban areas of India.MethodsA total of 28 focus group discussions with farmers and 53 interviews with veterinary professionals were carried out.ResultsMastitiswas identified as the main animal health challenge. Antibiotic consultation behavior of farmers depended on the availability of veterinarians. Except in Bangalore, farmers were found to often treat animals on their own. They were found unaware of the concept of AMR, but knew the importance of vaccination. Veterinarians included in the study had a good understanding of antibiotics, AMR, and zoonotic diseases.ConclusionThe knowledge level and practices observed in the study related to the use/abuse of antibiotics can potentially increase the risk of development of AMR and its transfer in the community. Our findings can help support AMR - mitigation efforts in the country, including the design of better policies on antibiotic use in dairy.
| S-EPMC7480485 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionChina is one of the largest consumers of agricultural antibiotics in the world. While the Chinese government has been tightening its regulations to control antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from animal sources in recent years, the extent of antimicrobial oversight and the practices of antibiotic use in animal agriculture in China has not yet been explored. This study describes the practices of antimicrobial management in eastern China and current scenarios of antibiotic use in commercial farms and smallholder backyard farming.Methods33 semi-structured interviews were conducted with government agriculture officials, veterinary drug sellers, farmers and smallholders in two contrasting areas of rural Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, China. Interview transcripts were analyzed in NVivo12 using a thematic approach.ResultsFindings revealed that although the governance of antibiotic use has made progress, especially in controlling irrational antibiotic use in commercial farms, smallholders are under-regulated due to a lack of resources and assumptions about their marginal role as food safety governance targets. We also found that smallholders resort to human antibiotics for the treatment of backyard animals because of economic constraints and lack of access to professional veterinary services.DiscussionMore attention needs to be devoted to the local structural needs of farmers to reduce antibiotic misuse. Considering the extensive links of AMR exposure under the One Health framework, efforts to integrate smallholders in antibiotic governance are required to address the AMR burden systematically in China.
| S-EPMC10065158 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundWhile antimicrobial use (AMU) in human healthcare has received significant attention as a key driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), less emphasis has been placed on AMU practices and attitudes in animal husbandry. To address this gap, this study examines the patterns and underlying drivers of AMU on animal farms.MethodsA survey instrument was distributed to farm staff in 150 animal farms across 15 Egyptian governorates. Farms were selected from a list curated by a private platform specialized in Egypt's poultry and cattle industry. An online search was conducted to identify additional farms not included in the list or when the contact information was unavailable. The instrument covered key items related to AMU including types of antimicrobials used, indications, their perceived benefits, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR). Using the theory of reasoned action (TRA) as a guiding theoretical framework, this study assesses key factors influencing the AMU behavior of farm personnel.ResultsOut of 150 farm personnel invited to fill out the survey forms, 111 (74%) responded and agreed to participate. All surveyed personnel reported using antimicrobials, and almost two-thirds (65%) reported using them for non-therapeutic purposes. Non-therapeutic use of antimicrobials, however, had no impact on FCR across all farm types (poultry, cattle, and mixed). The most used antimicrobials were penicillins (81%), followed by macrolides (78%) and tetracyclines (72%). Half of the studied farms reported using colistin, with more than half of this segment (55%) reporting using it for non-therapeutic purposes. Farm personnel's AMU behavior was associated with the TRA constructs: perceived benefits of antimicrobials (attitude) and perceived AMU behavior in other farms (subjective norm).ConclusionsAntimicrobials are unanimously used in animal farms in Egypt, including those classified as last-resort options, such as colistin. Using antimicrobials for disease prevention or growth promotion did not decrease the FCR. Interventions that target the farm personnel's attitude and the subjective norm should be carried out to change their behavior regarding the use of antimicrobials. Egyptian guidelines for AMU in livestock are urgently needed, along with training to raise awareness of AMR and safer practices. The use of last-resort drugs like colistin should be banned in animal farming, and national surveillance systems should monitor AMU and AMR trends.
| S-EPMC11743412 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The present study examined the livestock feed balance of smallholder farmers in Tanqua-Abergelle district of central Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Sixty livestock households were randomly selected from two farmer associations chosen systematically based on their livestock production potential. Data were collected on household characteristics, land holding, livestock ownership, feed inventory, feed supply and feed demand using household interviews (N = 60). Field feed samples were collected and representative samples analysed for dry matter content (DM), metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible crude protein (DCP). Annual DM, ME and DCP supply and demand were estimated using proper scientific procedures. Feed balance was quantified by comparing the feed demand with the supply. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics of SPSS statistical software. Crop residues, grazing lands, crop stubble and mixed hay were investigated as the major feed resources for livestock. On average, annual feed production was 3.96 tonnes DM, 30,138 MJ ME and 171 kg DCP at household level for 4.85 TLU. Crop residues contributed to 52 % of the total annual feed supply and grazing lands to 29 %. The feed requirement for maintenance of the livestock holding was estimated at 11.06 tonnes DM, 45,580 MJ ME and 253 kg DCP. The feed balance analysis estimated a 64 % deficiency of dry matter, 34 % of ME and 32 % of protein. Based on the present findings, it is clear that either the quantitative and qualitative feed supply of the livestock must be improved or the number of livestock kept in Tanqua-Abergelle district must be reduced in order to close the feed gap.
| S-EPMC10694160 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Ensuring global food security and environmental sustainability is dependent upon the contribution of the world's hundred million smallholder farms, but the contributions of smallholder farms to global agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been understudied. We developed a localized agricultural life cycle assessment (LCA) database to calculate GHG emissions and made the first extensive assessment of the smallholder farms' GHG emission reduction potentials by coupling crop and livestock production (CCLP), a redesign of current practices toward sustainable agriculture in China. CCLP can reduce the GHG emission intensity by 17.67%, with its own feed and manure returning to the field as an essential path. Scenario analysis verified that greater GHG emission reduction (28.09%-41.32%) will be achieved by restructuring CCLP. Therefore, this mixed farming is a mode with broader benefits to provide sustainable agricultural practices for reducing GHG emissions fairly.
| S-EPMC10206160 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to humans and animals globally. Antimicrobial stewardship has been acknowledged as a primary strategy to tackle AMR. An important first step for antimicrobial stewardship is to quantify antimicrobial use (AMU). In Fiji, there are currently no data on AMU in livestock farms. This study aimed to quantify AMU in different livestock enterprises (beef, dairy, broiler, and layer) and farming systems (backyard, semi-commercial and commercial) in Central and Western divisions of Viti Levu, Fiji. A survey with 210 livestock farmers and 26 managers representing 276 enterprises was conducted between May and September 2019. The difference in AMU between different livestock enterprises and farming systems was investigated using ANOVA. In Fiji, the estimated annual antibiotic use in livestock was lower than the global average (44 compared with 118 mg/PCU). However, this use was concentrated in 56% of participant farms (the remaining 44% did not use antimicrobials). Total estimated quarterly anthelmintic use (20,797 mg) was not affected by farming systems but was highest (P < 0.001) in dairy enterprises (24,120 mg) and lowest in broiler enterprises (4 mg). Quarterly antibiotic use was different between the enterprises regardless of the metrics used to quantify the use (P < 0.05). Total estimated quarterly mg/PCU of antibiotic use was highest (P < 0.001) in broiler enterprises (12.4 mg/PCU) and lowest in beef enterprises (0.2 mg/PCU). For all other ESVAC metrics, total estimated antibiotic use was higher in poultry and lower in cattle enterprises. Backyard systems used less antibiotics (total mg) than commercial systems, but for other metrics, the trend was reversed. The use of both antibiotics and anthelmintics (rather than antibiotics or anthelmintics alone, or no AMU) was associated with dairy enterprises (Χ2 = 123, P < 0.001). Further studies should be conducted to quantify and evaluate the drivers of AMU in Fijian livestock farms. In addition, differences in AMU between different enterprises and farming systems suggest that strategies to reduce AMU should be tailored to specific settings.
| S-EPMC8449124 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Antibiotic use (ABU) plays an important role in the proliferation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Global antimicrobial consumption in food production is projected to rise by 67% from 2010 to 2030, but available estimates are limited by the scarcity of ABU data and absence of global surveillance systems. The WHO South-East Asia (WHO SEA) region is at high risk of emergence of AMR, likely driven by intensifying farm operations and worsening ABU hotspots. However, little is known about farm-level ABU practices in the region. To summarize emerging evidence and research gaps, we conducted a scoping review of ABU practices following the Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework. We included studies published between 2010 and 2021 on farm-level ABU/AMR in the 11 WHO SEA member states, and databases were last searched on 31 October 2021. Our search strategy identified 184 unique articles, and 25 publications underwent full-text eligibility assessment. Seventeen studies, reported in 18 publications, were included in the scoping review. We found heterogeneity in the categorizations, definitions, and ABU characterization methods used across studies and farm types. Most studies involved poultry, pig, and cattle farms, and only one study examined aquaculture. Most studies evaluated ABU prevalence by asking respondents about the presence or absence of ABU in the farm. Only two studies quantified antibiotic consumption, and sampling bias and lack of standardized data collection methods were identified as key limitations. Emerging evidence that farm workers had difficulty differentiating antibiotics from other substances contributed to the uncertainty about the reliability of self-reported data without other validation techniques. ABU for growth promotion and treatment were prevalent. We found a large overlap in the critically important antibiotics used in farm animals and humans. The ease of access to antibiotics compounded by the difficulties in accessing quality veterinary care and preventive services likely drive inappropriate ABU in complex ways.
| S-EPMC9582544 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Improving fertilizer recommendations for farmers is essential to increase food security in smallholder landscapes. Currently, blanket recommendations are provided across agro-ecological zones, although fertilizer response and nutrient use efficiency by maize crop are spatially variable. We aimed to identify factors that could help to refine fertilizer recommendation by analyzing the variability in fertilizer response (FR) and the agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (N-AE). A literature search for on-farm studies across Kenya and Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), excluding Kenya, yielded 71 publications. The variability in FR was studied using a meta-analysis whereas key factors that influence FR and N-AE were studied with linear regression models. On average, the FR was 2, but it varied considerably from 1 to 28.5 (excluding outliers). In SSA, 18% of the plots were non-responsive plots with an FR < 1. The main factors affecting N-AE for Kenya were P-Olsen, silt content, soil pH, clay and rainfall, whereas only soil pH, exchangeable K and texture were important for SSA. However, our study indicates that available data on soil, climate and management factors could explain only a small part (< 33%) of the variation in FR and N-AE. Soil pH, P-Olsen, silt content, and rainfall had significant but low levels of power in explaining variation in FR and N-AE. Our findings indicate that strategies to refine fertilizer recommendation should include information on soil types and soil properties.
| S-EPMC7357725 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Anthropogenic environments have been implicated in enrichment and exchange of antibiotic resistance genes and bacteria. Here we study the impact of confined and controlled swine farm environments on temporal changes in the gut microbiome and resistome of veterinary students with occupational exposure for 3 months. By analyzing 16S rRNA and whole metagenome shotgun sequencing data in tandem with culture-based methods, we show that farm exposure shapes the gut microbiome of students, resulting in enrichment of potentially pathogenic taxa and antimicrobial resistance genes. Comparison of students' gut microbiomes and resistomes to farm workers' and environmental samples revealed extensive sharing of resistance genes and bacteria following exposure and after three months of their visit. Notably, antibiotic resistance genes were found in similar genetic contexts in student samples and farm environmental samples. Dynamic Bayesian network modeling predicted that the observed changes partially reverse over a 4-6 month period. Our results indicate that acute changes in a human's living environment can persistently shape their gut microbiota and antibiotic resistome.
| S-EPMC7080799 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health threat, and inappropriate antimicrobial use (AMU) in food animal production can contribute to the global burden of AMR in humans. This study was conducted to understand knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of smallholder livestock owners regarding antimicrobial use, residue, and resistance in three agro-ecological zones and production systems in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study based on structured interviews was conducted. Twenty-one items were used to assess farmers' KAP. Item response theory (IRT) model and Cronbach's alpha were used to assess the KAP measurement scales. Inferential analyses were used to compare the differences in the practices in terms of the farm and socio-economic characteristics. There was a difference in the type of antimicrobials reported use between agro-ecological zones and production systems. Pastoralists most commonly used antibiotics (86.7%) followed by anthelminthics (70.8%). Overall, tetracyclines (36.4%), aminoglycosides (31.3%), and trimethoprim-sulfonamides (6.2%) were the most frequently used classes of antibiotics across the study sites. Human preparation antibiotics (tetracyclines) were also being used for veterinary purposes by 18.5% of pastoralist households. About 81.6% of livestock owners surveyed reported to have access to veterinary drugs although access varied between agro-ecological zones and production system. About 72.3% of pastoralists administered antibiotics by not following through the full treatment course. Moreover, 70% of respondents were not aware of the recommended withdrawal periods of milk and meat after antibiotic treatment. It was noticed that around 80 and 70% of respondents had a tendency to give doses higher or lower than recommended of antimicrobials, respectively. The study confirms the need for interventions to increase knowledge among smallholder farmers to improve the way antimicrobials in general and antibiotics in particular are used in these settings. In addition, professional involvement, supervision, and guidance can also lead to more efficient antimicrobial use by smallholder livestock owners. The study also highlights the need for research into the development of usable tools that measure antibiotic knowledge and attitudes.
| S-EPMC7055293 | biostudies-literature