Sharma Garima, Mutua Florence, Deka Ram Pratim, Shome Rajeshwari, Bandyopadhyay Samiran, Shome B R, Goyal Kumar Naresh, Grace Delia, Dey Tushar Kumar, Venugopal Nimita, Sahay Swati, Lindahl Johanna
Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Department of Biosciences, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
Infect Ecol Epidemiol. 2020 Jul 12;10(1):1792033. doi: 10.1080/20008686.2020.1792033.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public health issue. In India, access to medicines is poorly regulated and therefore antibiotics in dairy cattle are commonly used by farmers without consulting with veterinarians. This study was conducted to understand practices and knowledge related to antibiotic use and AMR among dairy farmers and veterinary professionals in selected urban and peri-urban areas of India.
A total of 28 focus group discussions with farmers and 53 interviews with veterinary professionals were carried out.
Mastitiswas identified as the main animal health challenge. Antibiotic consultation behavior of farmers depended on the availability of veterinarians. Except in Bangalore, farmers were found to often treat animals on their own. They were found unaware of the concept of AMR, but knew the importance of vaccination. Veterinarians included in the study had a good understanding of antibiotics, AMR, and zoonotic diseases.
The knowledge level and practices observed in the study related to the use/abuse of antibiotics can potentially increase the risk of development of AMR and its transfer in the community. Our findings can help support AMR - mitigation efforts in the country, including the design of better policies on antibiotic use in dairy.
抗生素耐药性（AMR）是一个重大的全球公共卫生问题。在印度，药品监管不力，因此奶农在未经兽医咨询的情况下普遍使用奶牛用抗生素。本研究旨在了解印度部分城市和城郊地区奶农及兽医专业人员在抗生素使用和AMR方面的做法和知识。
与奶农进行了28次焦点小组讨论，并对兽医专业人员进行了53次访谈。
乳腺炎被确定为主要的动物健康挑战。奶农的抗生素咨询行为取决于兽医的可及性。除了在班加罗尔，发现奶农经常自行治疗动物。他们对AMR概念不了解，但知道疫苗接种的重要性。纳入研究的兽医对抗生素、AMR和人畜共患病有很好的理解。
研究中观察到的与抗生素使用/滥用相关的知识水平和做法可能会增加AMR产生及其在社区中传播的风险。我们的研究结果有助于支持该国的AMR缓解工作，包括制定更好的奶牛抗生素使用政策。
