Assessment of hygienic camel milk production constraints and awareness of microbial and antimicrobial residue contamination across the milk value chain in Korahay and Fafan zones, Somali Region, Ethiopia

Camel milk is a source of nutrition and livelihood for pastoral communities in Ethiopia. However, inadequate hygiene, limited cold-chain infrastructure, handling, and low awareness of microbial and antimicrobial residue contamination may compromise milk safety. We assessed milk handling practices, knowledge of microbial and antimicrobial residue contamination, and constraints affecting hygienic camel milk production and handling in Fafan and Korahay Zones, Somali Region, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2025 to January 2026 among 660 participants: 360 producers, 120 collectors/transporters, 120 retailers/vendors, and 60 consumers. Data were collected using questionnaires and checklists and analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Among producers, 77.5% reported handwashing before milking, but only 10.8% washed udders before milking, while 40.0% stored milk overnight. All collectors/transporters used non-refrigerated vehicles; 45.8% cleaned vehicles occasionally, and 83.3% had no milk compartment. Among retailers, 69.2% stored milk at room temperature, 85.0% cleaned containers using water only, and only 30.0% cleaned containers after every use. Observation showed that 80.0% of collection containers were open, while 100% of handlers lacked protective clothing and only 30% practiced handwashing. Good microbial knowledge was reported among 24.2% of producers, 20.8% of transporters, 10.0% of retailers, and 55.0% of consumers and good antimicrobial residue knowledge was 4.7%, 5.8%, 9.2%, and 21.7%, respectively. Constraints included recurrent drought, water scarcity, inadequate cooling/storage, limited clean water, insufficient training, poor transportation, and weak regulatory enforcement. Recurrent drought affected 75.8% of producers and 76.7% of transporters, while inadequate cooling/storage affected 72.8% and 80.8%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression showed that respondents aged 18–40 years had higher odds of good milk handling practices (AOR = 2.81; 95% CI: 1.40–5.64), while experience of more than 10 years was associated with better milk handling (AOR = 5.78; 95% CI: 1.32–25.73), better microbial contamination knowledge (AOR = 4.92; 95% CI: 2.77–8.70), and better antimicrobial residue knowledge (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.31–7.95). Literate respondents were substantially more likely to demonstrate good milk handling practices (AOR = 17.59; 95% CI: 2.39–29.42) and greater knowledge of microbial (AOR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.06–2.19) and antimicrobial residue contamination (AOR = 4.39; 95% CI: 1.90–9.85). The findings highlight hygiene and knowledge gaps. Strengthening training, clean water access, cooling/storage infrastructure, appropriate handling and transportation, and regulatory oversight is essential to improve camel milk safety and protect public health.