Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic use and resistance in ruminants and chickens among prescribers and farmers in Bangladesh

OBJECTIVES: This study employed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) to investigate antibiotic usage in ruminants and chickens farming by various prescribers and farmers. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted across 64 sub-districts in eight divisions of Bangladesh, assessing the KAP concerning antibiotic use (ABU) and antibiotic resistance (ABR) through a pretested questionnaire. A total of 1248 participants took part in the KAP survey. Data collection methods included face-to-face interactions, email, and courier services, followed by subsequent analysis. RESULTS: The results revealed that registered veterinarians achieved a 100% knowledge score regarding recommended doses and standard practices. While farmers and informal practitioners generally agreed with some antibiotic practices, 10.71% recognized the importance of withdrawal periods, 11.07% acknowledged public health risks, and 5.71% understood the residual effects of antibiotics. Similarly, among informal practitioners, awareness was low, with only 14.46%, 16.75%, and 7.71%, respectively. These findings show that many farmers and informal practitioners have limited KAP regarding antibiotic use and resistance. The analysis showed that demographic factors, such as education had a significant impact on participants' KAP (OR = 8.06; 95% CI: 6.07-10.70; P < 0.001) regarding ABU and ABR. In particular, registered veterinarians were nearly three times more likely to have accurate KAP compared to those with lower education levels (aOR = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.94-4.00; P < 0.001). Importantly, the correlation matrix indicated strong and statistically significant positive relationships among knowledge, attitudes, and practices (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate a strong interplay between knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ABU and ABR in ruminants and chickens.