Veterinary healthcare provision and quality of reported data on antimicrobial use in the treatment of livestock in Sierra Leone, 2016-2019

Amara Leno, Walter Kizito, Amadu Tejan Jalloh, Mohamed Alpha Bah, Sorie Mohamed Kamara, Maria Zolfo, Amara Aidara Sheriff, Katrina Hann, Pruthu Thekkur, Ajay M V Kumar

Research output: Contribution to journalA1: Web of Science-articlepeer-review

38 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Antimicrobials help in the prevention and treatment of infections and are crucial for animal production, but overuse can result in antimicrobial resistance. Hence, understanding data quality on livestock antimicrobial use is essential. We assessed frequency of reporting, completeness, and concordance of reported data and availability of human resources and infrastructure in 14 districts in Sierra Leone. This was a cross-sectional study involving a review of district and sub-district animal treatment forms submitted from January 2016 to August 2019. Out of the 14 districts, only 3 had filled forms available for review: A total of 6 (0.97% of 616 expected) district forms and 79 (1.15% of 6840 expected) sub-district forms. Data between district and sub-district treatment forms were fully discordant. Hence, completeness of data could not be assessed. All districts had livestock officers (barring one) and livestock assistants but no veterinarians. The gap in community animal health workers ranged from 14 to 100% per district. No districts had a functional computer or internet access. Reporting was non-existent in 11 districts and poor in the other 3. Resources are urgently needed to address critical gaps in human resources and capacity and computer and Internet connectivity to develop critical One Health surveillance functions at the national and sub-national levels.

Original languageEnglish
Article number73
JournalTropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
Volume6
Issue number2
Number of pages9
ISSN2414-6366
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Veterinary healthcare provision and quality of reported data on antimicrobial use in the treatment of livestock in Sierra Leone, 2016-2019'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this