Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of dairy farmers regarding antibiotic use: Lessons from a developing country

Abstract

In lower-and middle-income countries, uncontrolled use of antibiotics is causing antimicrobial resistance, affecting both animal welfare and public health. Meanwhile, studies on antibiotic use in these countries are limited. A crucial step to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is to examine the use of these drugs and identify its determinants. The aim of our study, the first of its kind in Lebanon, was to assess dairy farmers' knowledge and awareness of antimicrobial use (AMU) and AMR. For this, 18 farmers from different regions, educational backgrounds, experience levels, and herd sizes were interviewed. Results showed that owners of larger farms were more aware of AMU and AMR, and trying to implement preventive actions, whereas nonsystematic antimicrobial use was prevalent among the smaller farms. Mastitis and laminitis were the most treated diseases, and antibiotics used were oxytetracycline, penicillin, streptomycin, and florfenicol. Overall, antibiotic use was found as a preventive measure and a treatment of nonbacterial diseases. Irregular uses were linked to easy access of farmers to antibiotics, interrupted relations with veterinary authorities, and lack of self-assessment and inspection. Lebanese dairy farmers and owners reported feeling disadvantaged in their local trade field, facing illegal competition and unauthorized farms and industries, and lacking support from the government. Training and awareness programs must be implemented, and policies and regulations must be set, to reduce antibiotic use and hinder the spread of AMR in Lebanon.

Awareness and knowledge of antimicrobial resistance and factors associated with knowledge among adults in Dessie City, Northeast Ethiopia: Community-based cross-sectional study

“…antibiotics are used without having been prescribed. This problem could be reduced by educational campaigns for the public and setting up and controlling policies and regulations regarding antibiotic sales [37,39,44]. In addition, involving all pharmacists to educate all patients every time during dispensing antibiotics would be important.…”

Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli Isolated from Bovine Raw Milk in Lebanon: A study on Antibiotic Usage, Antibiotic Residues, and Assessment of Human Health Risk Using the One Health Approach

“…Significantly, underdosing was reported by many scientists as being the main reason for dangerously developing ABR. In addition, pathogens exposed to subinhibitory concentrations of the antibiotics will lead to more survival of bacterial populations in that animal, generating an advanced resistance to the antibiotics [ 47 ].…”

Farmers’ Attitudes Towards Veterinary Drugs Use and Awareness of Antibiotic Residues in Dairy Enterprises in Turkey

“…Veterinarians and farmers have critical roles for use of antimicrobials in dairy farms. Many studies have investigated farmers' knowledge, attitudes, awareness, behaviors and practices relating to the antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance in dairy farms in the different countries worldwide, such as France (Dernburg et al, 2007), Peru (Redding et al, 2014), the Netherlands (Speksnijder et al, 2017), Denmark (Oliveira et al, 2018), Lebanon (Dankar et al, 2022). These studies indicated that farmers' knowledge, attitudes, awareness can significantly influence their behaviors and practices to antibiotic use for animals.…”