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Antibiotics resistance is a global concern that presents a major threat to veterinary
public health as it reduces the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment in livestock and
people. Many studies on antibiotics resistance have been based mainly on
microbiology, biomedical and veterinary sciences in laboratory test with little
attention paid to social aspects. Based on pastoralist communities in Ngorongoro
District in Tanzania, the study examined how supply systems and social networks
determine the access and use of antibiotics and their implications on antibiotics
resistance. Specifically, the study sought to map out and examine how supply
systems and social networks determine the access and use of antibiotics and to
examine the implications of supply systems and social networks on antibiotics
resistance.
The study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches involving survey, key
informant interview, focus group discussion; participatory wealth ranking and
observation methods. A sample size of 221 respondents and 21 key informants were
involved in the study. Quantitative data were analysed using statistical package for
social sciences computer software version 20. Qualitative data were analysed using
content analysis. The findings revealed that supply systems have failed to provide
adequate quality antibiotics and veterinary experts to impart proper knowledge,
information, services and monitoring as well as regulatory control mechanisms for
the distribution channel of antibiotics from the various sources to end users. This has
forced end users to resort to strategies such as sharing antibiotics and knowledge on
use of antibiotics. Among the important actors in social networks who determine
access to and use of antibiotics include neighbours, friends, relatives, interest groups
and traditional dealers. These actors are connected with social ties based on trust and
reciprocity. However, they have limited knowledge on antibiotics handling and
administration hence resulting into misuse of the drugs. This lack of knowledge has
implications on antibiotics resistance. It is concluded that supply systems is
associated with inadequate quality antibiotics, limited number of experts and limited
knowledge of users of antibiotics. All these contribute to problem of antibiotics
resistance. Therefore, social aspects are equally important in explaining antibiotics
problem in livestock. It is therefore recommended that there should be capacity
building to those who are involved in the supply systems and users on the proper
access and use of antibiotics. Also, awareness creation to the public on the problem
of antibiotics resistance should be part and parcel of the design and implementation
of the livestock policy planning and interventions. |
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