Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship among practicing veterinarians in Uganda

Appropriate, affordable, and readily available veterinary drugs are an essential component of any animal health service. The availability of certain drugs for companion animals (pets), food animals, and wildlife, along with the practitioners' understanding of their use, is crucial in curbing antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to establish categories of drugs commonly used by veterinarians working with companion animals, food animals, and wildlife in Uganda. A cross-sectional study was done to establish common antimicrobial drugs used by practicing veterinarians in Uganda. Fifty-seven veterinarians were purposively selected to participate in the survey. The veterinarians responded to an online questionnaire distributed by a link to their emails and mobile applications. The questionnaire solicited information regarding their demographic traits, expertise pertaining to antimicrobials, and the types of antimicrobials they frequently utilise. Most of the respondents, 53/57 (93%), were male veterinarians, and 29/57 (50.9%), were mixed animal practitioners. Although they were all involved in some kind of practice, only 18/44 (40.9%) confidently understood antimicrobial stewardship. However, the majority, 38/44 (86.4%), agreed on the importance of antimicrobial stewardship in reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The majority, 26/43 (60.5%) of the veterinarians, were aware of the animal owners’ indiscriminate use of the antibiotic without expert prescription. Penicillins and tetracyclines were the most used antimicrobial drugs. Other antimicrobials often used were cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and chloramphenicol. Field veterinarians need to undergo further training on the current categories of antimicrobial agents, antimicrobial stewardship, and AMR. The Veterinary Formulary should be updated following the WHO list of critically-important-antimicrobials (CIA). The veterinarians should also familiarize themselves with the ‘Essential Veterinary Medicines List for Uganda’.