Antimicrobial Use by Peri-Urban Poultry Smallholders of Kajiado and Machakos Counties in Kenya
Florence Mutua,
Gideon Kiarie,
Miriam Mbatha,
Joshua Onono,
Sofia Boqvist,
Emily Kilonzi,
Lawrence Mugisha,
Arshnee Moodley,
Susanna Sternberg-Lewerin
Affiliations
Florence Mutua
International Livestock Research Institute, Animal and Human Health Program, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
Gideon Kiarie
International Livestock Research Institute, Animal and Human Health Program, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
Miriam Mbatha
Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
Joshua Onono
Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
Sofia Boqvist
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
Emily Kilonzi
International Livestock Research Institute, Animal and Human Health Program, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
Lawrence Mugisha
Department of Wildlife and Animal Resources Management, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7062, Uganda
Arshnee Moodley
International Livestock Research Institute, Animal and Human Health Program, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
Susanna Sternberg-Lewerin
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
Antimicrobial use (AMU) is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). An understanding of current practices can lead to better targeting of AMU-reducing interventions. An analysis of the distribution and current usage of veterinary drugs in peri-urban smallholder poultry systems in Kenya was undertaken. A survey among poultry farmers and key informant interviews with agrovet operators and other players in the value chain was conducted in Machakos and Kajiado counties. Interview data were analyzed using descriptive and thematic approaches. A total of 100 farmers were interviewed. The majority (58%) were > 50 years old, and all kept chickens, while 66% kept other livestock. Antibiotics constituted 43% of the drugs reportedly used on the farms (n = 706). These were mostly administered by the farmers themselves (86%) through water (98%). Leftover drugs were stored for later use (89%) or disposed of (11%). Incineration was the main method for the disposal of leftover drugs and empty containers. As described by the key informants (n = 17), the drug distribution chain relied on agrovet shops that were supplied by local distributors and pharmaceutical companies, which, in turn, supplied drugs to the farmers. Farmers reportedly purchased drugs without prescriptions and rarely observed the withdrawal periods. Drug quality was a concern, especially for products requiring reconstitution.
