Supply Systems of Antibiotics and use in Livestock Among Maasai Pastoralists: Implications to Drug Resistance in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania, 2020.

Abstract

This paper presents the way supply systems of antibiotics enable the access to and use of drugs in livestock among pastoralists of Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Antibiotic resistance is a global concern that mostly affects developing countries due to uncontrolled supply systems. Many studies on antibiotics resistance have been based mainly on microbiology, biomedical and veterinary sciences in a laboratory test with minimal attention to social aspects including supply systems of drugs. The study sought to explore the supply systems of antibiotics and how they enable access to and use of antibiotics in livestock, the implications on antibiotics resistance. A cross-sectional research design was employed involving survey, key informant interviews and focus group discussions methods. A sample size of 221 respondents, 4 focus group discussions and 21 key informants were involved in the study. Quantitative data were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences computer software version 24 for descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed that supply systems of livestock drugs have failed to provide adequate quantity, quality antibiotics and a limited number of veterinary experts to impart proper knowledge, information, services and monitoring. Regulatory control mechanisms for the distribution channel of antibiotics from various sources to pastoralist end-users are also not in place. These contribute to antibiotics resistance implications. It is recommended that there is a need for capacity building to those who are involved in the supply systems and users of antibiotics in livestock. Awareness creation to the public on antibiotics resistance problem should be included in the design and implementation of livestock policy planning and interventions.