Data on antimicrobial use in livestock: Lessons from Uganda

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Public Health
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global threat, exacerbated by inappropriate antimicrobial use (AMU) in livestock.
• Livestock production is projected to increase significantly in Africa, intensifying concerns about AMU and AMR.
• Limited data exists on AMU in African livestock, hindering effective policy development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the characteristics and appropriateness of antimicrobial use in livestock in Uganda.
• To establish a cost-effective method for collecting nationwide data on AMU in livestock.
• To inform policy decisions regarding antimicrobial stewardship in the livestock sector.

Main Methods:

• Incorporated specific antimicrobial use (AMU) questions into Uganda's nationally representative Annual Agricultural Survey (AAS).
• Collected data from approximately 6,000 agricultural households across Uganda.
• Collaborated with the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Main Results:

• A considerable proportion of livestock-keeping households (35%) reported using antimicrobials.
• Antimicrobials were used for curative treatment (58%), disease prevention (44%), and growth promotion (5%).
• The AAS data enabled exploration of links between AMU, livestock practices, and household characteristics.

Conclusions:

• Nationally representative agricultural surveys are a viable and cost-effective method for gathering essential AMU data in livestock.
• Understanding AMU patterns is critical for developing targeted interventions to combat AMR in Uganda and potentially other African nations.
• The findings provide crucial data for informing evidence-based policies on antimicrobial stewardship in the livestock sector.