Use of antibiotics among small-scale cattle farmers in rural areas in Queretaro, Mexico

The inappropriate use of antibiotics in the livestock sector has been described as one of the causes of the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Information on antibiotic use in small-scale farms is limited. Our objective was to identify patterns of antibiotic use in small-scale cattle farms in Queretaro, Mexico. Cross-sectional study with 50 small-scale cattle farmers from rural areas surveyed in the municipality of Tequisquiapan, Queretaro between May–October 2022. Convenience sampling, non-probabilistic, small-scale cattle farms were selected using respondent-driven sampling methodology. A face-to-face survey was applied, structured in five sections: i) small-scale cattle farmers´ profile, ii) characteristics of small-scale cattle farms, iii) antibiotic use, iv) antibiotic prescription, and v) inventory of stored antibiotics vials. The data collected were processed and analyzed. Ninety-two percent of the small-scale cattle farmers were male, with an age range of 23 to 88 years (median 58.5, IQR 49–64.5). Seventy-four percent of the small-scale cattle farmers had a basic level of schooling. The animal census consisted of 968 animals. A total of 142 stored antibacterial products from nine antibiotic classes were recorded: 34.5 % were penicillin, 19 % oxytetracycline, 13.4 % gentamicin, 9.8 % florfenicol, and 8.4 %enrofloxacin. About 50 % of the stored antibiotics have a "watch" classification in the WHO AWaRe tool. Seventy-eight percent of small-scale cattle farmers throw empty antibiotic vials in the trash. Our study showed that small-scale cattle farmers had an important use of third generation cephalosporins, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones; antibiotics considered “watch” by the WHO.