Treatment strategies and antibiotic usage practices in mastitis management in Kenyan smallholder dairy farms.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mastitis is a common driver of antibiotic use in dairy farms and is exacerbated in low-income settings by the lack of diagnostics and treatment strategies. We assessed the decision-making process of animal health providers (AHPs) in managing mastitis in small-holder dairy farms in Kiambu County, Kenya. Data were collected from 114 AHPs and using item response theory, scales were developed to measure attitudes toward udder health, and multivariable linear regression was used to analyse demographic factors associated with these attitudes.

Results

Overall, 90% of AHPs diagnose clinical mastitis based on clinical symptoms such as visible udder signs and milk changes, with little diagnostic testing support. Antibiotic treatment was initiated immediately after clinical

SUBMITTER: Muloi DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11951627 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature