Surveillance of Antimicrobial Use in Animal Production: A Cross-Sectional Study of Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

Measuring antimicrobial use (AMU) in animal production can provide useful data for monitoring AMU over time, which will promote antimicrobial resistance (AMR) reduction. This study involved the daily collation and validation of active primary drug sales and prescription data from veterinary outlets and clinics of the Kaduna metropolis. In total, 83.7% of the identified antimicrobials were in the form of oral medication, and most were registered antibiotics (52.8%). Parenteral and topical forms were also identified, with 94% also being antibiotics. The estimated AMU was 282 mg/kg population correction unit (PCU). Poultry represented the most significant population, constituting 99% (31,502,004) of the study population. The class-specific AMU was antibiotics, with 274 mg/kg PCU. The antiprotozoal AMU was 418 mg/kg PCU. The anthelminthic AMU was the highest at 576 mg/kg PCU. This study has provided useful and practical information on the trends in antimicrobial use in animals, with poultry being the most important animal population involved in AMU and oxytetracycline being the most abused antibiotic in animal production. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) should be targeted at poultry populations, with an emphasis on reducing antibiotic use/consumption.