A cross-sectional survey utilizing structured questionnaires was used to study the veterinarians' perception, knowledge and practices of antibiotic stewardship (ABS) in Enugu State, Southeastern Nigeria. Data obtained were analyzed using chi-square on SPSS (Version 15.0) at a significance level of P < 0.05 to determine possible associations between variables and perceptions/knowledge about ABS. Out of 280 respondents, 41 (17.1%) had heard about ABS. Minority of the respondents perceived/knew that using antibiotics only when necessary (6.4%, 18), administering antibiotics at the appropriate dose (6.4%, 18) and administering antibiotics for appropriate duration in every case (4.3%, 12) were among the principles of ABS. The study also showed that age, gender, qualification, years of practice and locations did not exert any influence (P > 0.05) on the awareness of respondents about ABS. More than one-third of the respondents wrongly perceived that increasing the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics (35.4%, 99) is one of the goals of ABS, whereas the minority of the respondents rightly perceived/knew that minimizing toxicity and other adverse effects (16.8%, 47) and reducing antibiotic resistance (ABR) (43.2%, 121) are also goals of ABS. Only 21.4% (60) had overall knowledge of ABS. Prescribing antibiotics without seeing/examining the patient, prescribing antibiotics for any case suspected to be infectious, prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics despite availability of narrow-spectrum antibiotics, prescribing different classes/types of antibiotics concurrently to ensure therapeutic efficacy, prescribing overdose of antibiotics to ensure efficacy and non-consultation of the veterinary formulary/other resources when in doubt during prescription, are some of inappropriate/untoward ABS practices/behaviors/attitudes amongst the respondents. No significant association (P > 0.05) was found between practices of ABS and age, gender, qualification, years of practice and location. In conclusion, the veterinarians' awareness/perception and practices of ABS is abysmally poor in the study area, thus education of Nigerian veterinarians about ABS and the teaching of the principles and practices of ABS during veterinary schools are recommended.

A cross sectional, multicentre survey utilizing a questionnaire was used to assess 6 th -(final-) year veterinary medical students' perceptions, attitude and knowledge about antibiotic resistance (ABR) and stewardship (ABS) in 5 convenientlyselected veterinary schools in Nigeria. Data obtained were analyzed by Fischer's exact and χ 2 tests at a significance level of P < 0.05. Out of 175 final-year veterinary students, 95 (54.3% i.e., response rate) completed the survey. Of the 95, 17% have heard about ABS and 7% knew the meaning of ABS. Less than 10% knew the core principles and goals of ABS and less than 20% of the respondents knew the ideal members of an ABS team. All the respondents rightly knew that no antibiotic stewardship programme (ASP) exist in veterinary hospitals in Nigeria, nearly all of them (97%) reported that antibiograms are rarely used during antibiotic (AB) prescription in their institutional veterinary teaching hospital (VTH) and about two-third (65%) believed that ABs are overused in most veterinary hospitals in Nigeria. Most of the respondents believed that ABR is of greater concern at national level than in their institutional VTHs and majority of them (92%) believed that ABR is a global problem (P = 0.009). Minority of the respondents knew that inadequate personal hygiene, use of substandard ABs, prescription of ABs by non-veterinarians/professionals, poor infection control practices, treating self-limiting infections with ABs, suboptimal and incomplete AB doses (P = 0.017), are factors that promote ABR. Minority of the respondents knew that education on AB therapy (44%), development of antibiotic usage policies (35%), reduction of AB use (14%), establishment of national AB resistance surveillance (28%) and development of institutional guidelines for AB use (29%), are critical interventions to curb ABR. Only 17% of the respondents felt that their education on ABR is adequate for their veterinary career. Most of the respondents believed that strong knowledge of ABs is important for their future veterinary career and would like more education about ABR and ABS. Overall mean correct score of 29% on clinical knowledge vignettes with similar scores across the schools in all the areas, was recorded. This survey has shown that Nigerian veterinary students' perception and knowledge about ABR and ABS are poor and therefore creates doubt about their preparedness to practice ABS. There is urgent need for improved ABS education in Nigerian veterinary schools.