Antimicrobial Use and Resistance Among Mobile Pastoralists in Nigeria: Knowledge, Practices, Risk Perceptions and Drivers for Transboundary Dissemination

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, particularly in livestock farming communities with widespread antimicrobial usage (AMU). This study assessed the knowledge, practices, and risk perceptions of pastoralists in Nigeria regarding AMU and AMR transmission. A cross-sectional survey of 384 respondents revealed a predominantly male (85.4%) and married (84.4%) population with limited formal education (65.2%). Knowledge of AMU and AMR was generally low, with significant gaps in understanding the risks of misuse and overuse. AMU practices included widespread self-administration without expert consultation (96.0%), frequent use for multiple purposes (58.1%), and poor adherence to withdrawal periods (90.3%). Risk perceptions varied, with high-risk concerns for contact with contaminated livestock and fomites but lower awareness of other transmission pathways. Key drivers of AMR emergence included antimicrobial misuse, anthropogenic activities, financial constraints, and climate change, with cross-border grazing identified as a major risk factor. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to enhance awareness, promote responsible AMU, and improve risk perceptions among pastoralists. A One Health approach integrating education, policy reforms, and cross-sectoral collaboration is crucial to mitigating AMR’s impact on public health, livestock production, and environmental sustainability.