Identifying and mapping key relationships and communication pathways influencing farmers’ antibiotic use in production animals: a scoping review

Background Antibiotic use in food-producing animals can drive antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Communication is a central strategy to promote behavioral change. As such, there is a need to determine from whom and where farmers receive information about antibiotic use. We aim to identify communication pathways that influence farmers’ antibiotic use in food-producing animals and understand the barriers and facilitators for using these information sources. Methods PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines were followed. PubMed, CAB Abstracts, ProQuest Social Science Premium Collection, and PsycINFO were searched for primary peer-reviewed studies published from 2000 to April 10 th , 2025, in any language. We sought studies from any country, that state from whom or where farmers or farm workers get information about antibiotic use. Title and abstract, full text screening and data charting were performed by two reviewers. One researcher inductively coded points of influence, barriers and facilitators, which were thematically combined through discussion. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were then performed. Results Our search retrieved 5925 records. After abstract review, 140 records met the inclusion criteria. After review of full texts, 75 papers were included for data charting. Overall, we identify a complex network of 25 stakeholders, all of whom can exert influence. The most mentioned actors across eligible studies were veterinarians (86.7%), followed by peers (49.3%). The major barriers to advice were access/availability (48.6%) and cost (45.9%), and the major facilitators were trust (41.7%), followed by access/availability (33.3%). Differences in mechanics and impact on antibiotic use, along with recommendations from the literature, were also summarized Conclusions Our results suggest that knowledge and awareness about appropriate antibiotic use and AMR must permeate multiple layers of actors with differing interests. We suggest potential strategies to address barriers, including ways to reduce costs, increase access and build trust.