A Survey on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Large-Animal Farmers towards Antimicrobial Use, Resistance, and Residues in Mymensingh Division of Bangladesh

Abstract

The widespread and indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in food animals is a key contributor to antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial residue, which have become a growing public and animal health concern in developing countries such as Bangladesh. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of large-animal farmers towards antimicrobial use (AMU), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and antimicrobial residue (AR) with their correlation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a structured and pretested questionnaire in the Mymensingh division of Bangladesh. A total of 212 large-animal farmers (dairy, beef fattening, buffalo, sheep, and goat farmers) were surveyed. Results showed that most of the farmers are male (85.8%) and belong to the 18–30 age group (37.3%). About 20.3% had no formal education, and nearly half of the participants (48.1%) received training regarding antibiotic use and resistance. Penicillin is the most common class of antibiotic used (61.8%) in the study area, followed by other antimicrobials. Only 37.7% of the farmers used antimicrobials on the recommendation of their veterinarian. Overall, 41.5%, 42.5%, and 21.7% of farmers possess adequate knowledge and a satisfactory attitude and perform desirable practices, respectively. Farmers in the 31–40 age group have adequate knowledge, attitude, and ability to implement desired practices compared to farmers in the 18–30 age group. Farmers having a graduate or post-graduate degree scored better in relation to knowledge, attitude, and practice than other farmers. Analysis revealed that farmers who received training on AMU and AMR had 10.014 times (OR = 10.014, 95% CIs: 5.252–19.094), 9.409 times (OR = 9.409, 95% CIs: 4.972–17.806), and 25.994 times (OR = 25.994, 95% CIs: 7.73–87.414) better knowledge, attitude, and performance, respectively, compared to their counterparts. A significant proportion of farmers (97.2%) dispose of leftover antibiotics inappropriately. The findings of the present study will be used to intervene in the education and training of the farmers, which will help to limit the indiscriminate and irrational use of antimicrobials, leading to reducing the chances of developing AMR.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Common Foodborne Pathogens Recovered from Livestock and Poultry in Bangladesh

“…The main consequence of antibiotic residues in animal-derived foods is the enhancement of the development of antimicrobial resistance. The presence of antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogens in food may lead to gastrointestinal disorders in human beings [ 31 ]. On the other hand, antibiotic-resistant pathogens may transfer the gene to other microorganisms through vertical and horizontal transmission [ 29 , 32 ] resulting in the spread of AMR pathogens.…”

Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination and Antimicrobial Drugs Residue in Broiler Edible Tissues in Bangladesh

“…Structured close and open-ended questions with choices were administered to the respondents. The pre-tested questionnaire was translated in Bengali (please see the Supplementary Methods and Materials ) and tested by previous researchers [ 2 , 20 , 21 ] Ninety-five questionnaires (95) were administered to broiler meat consumers across the five districts that represent five divisions of Bangladesh (19 participants from each study area). The study sites were chosen because these areas have a high number of broiler farms based on information from the Department of Livestock Services.…”

“…Based on our previous survey data, 10 commonly used antibiotics [ 2 ] and 3 heavy metals were quantified in the collected samples. The samples were sent to the SGS Laboratory (Standard Global Services), Chennai, India, for analyzing seven antibiotics (enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, neomycin, tylosin, colistin, amoxicillin and sulfadiazine) by using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) (Agilent 6460 with 1290 Infinity HPLC., Woodridge, IL, USA).…”

“…In Bangladesh, increased broiler farming is happening for a variety of reasons, including chicken’s rapid growth rate, ability to produce meat of the highest quality, a quick return of investment, low operating cost and minimal area requirements. This industry could have a significant impact on the GDP of the nation as well as on the empowerment of women and the rural economy [ 2 ].…”

“…Antibiotics were developed to prevent bacterial infections in humans, animals and plants [ 11 ]. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics for both preventive and therapeutic purposes has gained attention on a global scale due to their residual effects and subsequent risks to consumers’ health [ 2 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. In addition, the increasing use of antibiotics as growth promoters poses increasing concerns for antibiotic resistance in both livestock and humans [ 15 , 16 ], and residual antibiotics are now present in meat, which also poses a risk to consumer health [ 17 ].…”