Use of Antibiotics in Dairy Cattle Farms in Vina, Department of the Adamawa Region in Cameroon

Abstract

Aims: Antimicrobial resistance is a major risk factor for therapeutic failure and the spread of multi-resistant strains. The misuse of antibiotics in livestock is a practice that promotes the development of resistance. The objective of this work was to evaluate the risk factors linked to the use of antibiotics in dairy farms in the Vina Department (Adamawa - Cameroon). Place and Duration of Study: The study covered dairy cattle farms identified and distributed between the municipalities of Tchabal and Manwi from July to August 2021. Methodology: A survey was carried out with 26 farmers to assess practices promoting the selection of resistant bacteria on dairy farms. The questions were answered during an interview with various breeders during visits to the farms. The questionnaire covered the general knowledge of the farmers about antibiotics, their trade names, their origin and how they are used. Results: Our work revealed the use of antibiotics in self-medication without prior prescription by the veterinarian in all (100%) surveyed farms, due to lack of means (66.66%) and experience (33.34%). We also observed a high rate of systematic self-medication in the presence of an ill animal (83%). The surveys also showed that the choice of antibiotic molecule is 100% dependent on the habits and experience of farmers with a high proportion of use of tetracycline (56.4%) followed by β - Lactamine (31.4%). Conclusion: The study focused on dairy cattle farms identified in the Vina Department, in the Adamawa region and distributed between the communes of Tchabal and Manwi.