Management of animal diseases and antimicrobial use by information and communication technology to control antimicrobial resistance in East Africa
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/121012
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Item Piloting an information and communication technology tool to help addressing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance in low-income countries(Journal Article, 2025-04-03) Mutua, Florence K.; Onono, J.O.; Boqvist, S.; Koech, Patricia; Abdi, Abdullahi M.; Karimi, Hildah; Sternberg-Lewerin, S.Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial use (AMU) in livestock drives antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR has a significant impact on public health. While several interventions have been used to address this challenge, few have utilized Information and Communication Technology (ICT) approaches. The objective of this study was to pilot and assess an ICT system to monitor the use of veterinary drugs and disseminate information to farmers in peri-urban smallholder poultry systems in Kenya. Methods: The system was developed in collaboration with the stakeholders. It captures drug sales in veterinary pharmacies and disease incidence and treatments reported by farmers. The system was piloted from May 2023 to December 2023. Monthly follow-ups were conducted to monitor progress and address problems. Assessment was performed through focus group discussions with the users (two with farmers and two with veterinary pharmacy staff) and descriptive statistics of the data collected by the system. Results: A total of 15,725 records were obtained from veterinary pharmacies, including antibiotics (57%), dewormers (22%), and vitamins (11%). Requests for a specific product were recorded in 38% of the sales, while 63% were accompanied by some evidence (empty drug containers, old packages, old prescriptions, pictures of sick birds, and actual sick birds). A total of 91 records were obtained from the farmers. The health problems reported were mostly respiratory (40%) and digestive (30%) disorders. The percentage of customers who requested advice on animal health when visiting veterinary pharmacies ranged from 5 to 20%. Conclusions: AMU can be improved in the study area. The piloted system may help policymakers monitor the sales and usage of antibiotics, improve animal health management, and promote responsible AMU.Item Development of an information and communication technology (ICT) tool for monitoring of antimicrobial use, animal disease and treatment outcome in low-income countries(Journal Article, 2025-03-10) Sternberg-Lewerin, S.; Onono, J.O.; Boqvist, S.; Mugisha, L.; Kihara, W.; Lindfors, L.; Strandell, K.; Mutua, Florence K.Background/Objectives: Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial use (AMU) is needed to understand risks and implement policies. Collecting AMU data in the context of disease prevalence and therapeutic outcomes has been suggested for improving AMU. We describe the process of developing an information and communication technology (ICT) system to monitor AMU, diseases and treatment outcomes in poultry in East Africa. Methods: A prototype system to register drug sales in veterinary pharmacies, a mobile application for farmers to report their AMU, and a database for monitoring was developed. Contact information for participating veterinarians was included as well as information about poultry diseases, husbandry, AMR and prudent use of antibiotics. The system was pilot-tested for a 6-month period in Kenya. Results: A total of 15,725 records were submitted by the 14 participating pharmacies and 91 records were entered by the 15 participating farmers. Overall, the participants were positive about the system and were able to use it. The information available was appreciated by the farmers. The pharmacy representatives appreciated getting an overview of their sales and stated that it had given them new insights. Conclusions: Despite some challenges, the concept of the developed ICT system could be useful for future monitoring of animal health and the use of pharmaceuticals in animals, and connecting farmers with veterinarians to improve animal health management. Our results underline the importance of close collaboration with stakeholders so that developed tools can be transferred to national ownership after the finalization of externally funded projects.Item Antimicrobial use by peri-urban poultry smallholders of Kajiado and Machakos counties in Kenya(Journal Article, 2023-05-13) Mutua, Florence K.; Kiarie, Gideon; Mbatha, M.; Onono, J.; Boqvist, S.; Kilonzi, Emily; Mugisha, L.; Moodley, Arshnee; Sternberg-Lewerin, S.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.Item Information and communication technology framework for improved monitoring and control of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance(Report, 2022-06-15) Mutua, Florence K.; Boqvist, Sofia; Onono, J.; Mugisha, L.; Sternberg, S.Item Antimicrobial use in a peri-urban smallholder poultry system, Kenya(Poster, 2022-08-09) Mutua, Florence K.; Kiarie, Gideon; Mbatha, M.; Onono, J.; Boqvist, Sofia; Kilonzi, Emily; Lindahl, Johanna F.; Lewerin, S.S.Objective(s): Analyze distribution and current usage of veterinary drugs in peri-urban smallholder poultry systems, Kenya Materials and methods: Machakos and Kajiado counties were purposively selected for the study. A baseline survey involving poultry farmers was conducted. Additional data were collected through key informant interviews (KII). The questionnaire data were electronically captured using open data kit, downloaded as a MS Excel® file, and cleaned. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and thematic approaches. Results: A total of 100 farmers were interviewed. Majority (58%) were >50 years old and kept chicken (100%), ducks (17%) and turkeys (16%). Methods for drug package disposal included burning (65%), burying (10%), and in pit latrines (9%). Sharing of same drugs across livestock species was reported (11 of the 66 farmers who kept other livestock). A small percentage (9%) mentioned using drugs intended for humans in animal treatment. Antibiotics constituted 47% of the total drug records used by farmers (n=347); 24% were used within the previous one month (24%) and had been administered by farmers themselves (90%). Challenges associated with the distribution, access and disposal of veterinary products were highlighted by KII respondents. Conclusion: on-prudent use of antimicrobials is a driver for development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which has serious public health implications. This project is developing an ICT framework to improve AMU monitoring and address the current information gap on AMR.