Assessment of animal owners’ compliance with short-course antibiotic treatment at the University of Gondar Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract Background Non-compliance with antibiotic treatment regimens can lead to treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance, compromised animal welfare, economic losses, and public health risks. Evidence on compliance among animal owners in Ethiopia is lacking, leaving a critical gap in understanding behaviors that affect antimicrobial stewardship and One Health strategies. This study provides the first evidence on compliance with short-course antibiotic treatments in Gondar Town, Ethiopia, by assessing factors that influence compliance, identifying reasons for non-compliance, and proposing evidence-based interventions. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted at the University of Gondar Veterinary Teaching Hospital from February to August 2025. A total of 106 animal owners (27 cattle, 27 sheep, 26 dogs, and 26 horses) were enrolled. Compliance, defined as completion of all prescribed doses, was monitored through direct observation using follow-up checklists. Non-compliers were interviewed to capture reasons for missed treatments. Logistic regression analysis was performed using SPSS version 20 to identify predictors of compliance. Results The overall compliance rate was 68.9%, indicating a moderate level of compliance. Compliance was significantly associated with education, farming experience, and prior experience with animal illness. Owners with primary (aOR = 6.526, p = 0.044) and tertiary educations (aOR = 7.256, p = 0.033), as well as those with five to ten years of farming experience (aOR = 13.193, p = 0.008), had markedly higher odds of following prescribed regimens. In contrast, owners encountering animal illness for the first time (aOR = 0.029, p = 0.005) were less likely to comply. The main reasons for non-compliance included premature discontinuation of treatment after perceived recovery (27.3%), forgetfulness and time constraints (27.3%). Conclusion Animal owners showed moderate compliance, but gaps due to perceived recovery, forgetfulness, and time constraints persist. Tailored counseling for owners with limited illness experience and low literacy combined with peer-to-peer learning should be implemented.