Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag x04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, 0110, South Africa.
Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag x04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, 0110, South Africa.
BMC Vet Res. 2023 Jul 8;19(1):83. doi: 10.1186/s12917-023-03634-z.
South Africa has two types of animal farming systems, being the commercial industry and subsistence farming in more rural areas, with commercial farmers having more access to veterinary services. To cater for the absence of sufficient veterinary service, the country allows farmers to access certain over the counter medications (stock remedies), as a way to assist them to farm sustainably and profitably. However, with any drug use, their true benefits are only realized following correct use. The aim of this study was to describe and assess the adequacy of the current use of veterinary drugs by rural-based farmers. A scheduled structured questionnaire with close-ended questions and direct observation was employed. The most important finding was the absence of proper training in the area, with 82.9% not receiving any training related to livestock production or use/handling of stock remedies, highlighting the urgent need for proper training. Of interest, a large proportion of the farmers (57.5%) left the care of their animals to herders. Concerns were also noted in the application of withholding periods, transport of medication, disposal of medication, calculation of drug doses, correct route of administration and carcass disposal with no difference in response between farmers receiving training and those who didn't. These finding not only indicates the importance of farmer training, but shows that for such training to be effective, information should not only cover farming activities but must include primary animal health care and an understanding of information contained in package leaflets. It would also be important to ensure that herdsmen are also included in such training initiatives as they are the primary careers of the animals.
南非有两种动物养殖系统，分别是商业产业和更农村地区的自给自足农业，商业农民更能获得兽医服务。为了满足兽医服务不足的问题，该国允许农民使用某些非处方药物（库存药物），以帮助他们可持续和盈利地养殖。然而，任何药物的使用，只有在正确使用的情况下才能真正发挥其益处。本研究旨在描述和评估农村农民当前使用兽药的情况，并评估其充分性。采用了带有封闭式问题的预定结构化问卷和直接观察法。最重要的发现是该地区缺乏适当的培训，82.9%的农民没有接受任何与牲畜生产或库存药物使用/处理相关的培训，这突显了迫切需要进行适当的培训。有趣的是，很大一部分农民（57.5%）将动物的护理交给了牧民。在休药期、药物运输、药物处理、药物剂量计算、正确给药途径和尸体处理方面也存在问题，接受过培训的农民和未接受过培训的农民对此的反应没有差异。这些发现不仅表明农民培训的重要性，而且还表明，为了使培训有效，信息不仅应涵盖农业活动，还必须包括初级动物保健和了解包装说明书中的信息。确保牧民也参与此类培训计划也很重要，因为他们是动物的主要照顾者。
