Antibiotic use practices in poultry farming and public health implications: evidence from Oubritenga Province, Burkina Faso, within a One Health perspective

<ns5:p>Background The widespread and often uncontrolled use of antibiotics in poultry farming is a major public health concern, contributing to therapeutic failures and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study assessed antibiotic use practices among poultry farmers in Oubritenga Province, Burkina Faso, and evaluated their potential impacts on public health. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 102 poultry farmers in the communes of Ziniaré, Loumbila, Zitenga, and Nagreongo. Data were collected in poultry using structured questionnaires, with participants recruited through snowball sampling. Results Descriptive analysis showed that 97% of farmers reported antibiotic use, with tetracyclines being the predominant class (≈70%), mainly for preventive purposes (70%). Knowledge gaps were evident: 64% of respondents were unfamiliar with the concept of AMR, and 15% admitted not respecting withdrawal periods before marketing or consuming poultry products. Bivariate analysis showed that farming experience was significantly associated with antibiotic use, suggesting that longer involvement in poultry production increases reliance on antibiotics. Multivariate analysis, however, did not confirm independent associations, indicating that antibiotic use is widespread across socio-demographic categories and farming systems. Conclusion These findings highlight significant risks for food safety, environmental contamination, and the spread of resistant pathogens. They underscore the urgent need for stricter regulation, farmer education, and integration of poultry farming into the national AMR surveillance strategy, with expanded coverage across Burkina Faso.</ns5:p>