The use of antibiotics in cattle in North-East Benin: pharmaceutical inventory and risk practices of cattle breeders

This study's aim is to inventory antibiotics used in cattle in North-East Benin and assess risk practices that could be the cause of both food chain contamination by antibiotic residues and selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animals and humans. A survey was conducted among 98 cattle breeders in the districts of Banikoara, Kandi, Bembereke, and Kalale in North Benin. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, covering breeder status, breeding system, and antibiotic use. Multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical classification analysis were conducted to establish a breeder typology. Breeders mainly belonged to the Fulani ethnic group (71.4 +/- 8.9%) and almost all of them received no formal education (96.9 +/- 3.4%). Cattle herds were mainly composed of a single breed, the Borgou (76.4 +/- 8.1%) or the Fulani Zebu (16.0 +/- 7.0%). Some herds were mixed. Antibiotics groups used in cattle breeding were tetracyclines, beta-lactams, sulfonamides, aminoglycosides, and macrolides, used by respectively 100%, 69.4 +/- 9.1%, 56.1 +/- 9.8%, 44.9 +/- 9.8%, and 34.7 +/- 9.4% of breeders. These drugs were purchased in local markets (59.0 +/- 15.4%) and veterinary pharmacy (41.0 +/- 15.4%). They were mainly used against respiratory diseases, lameness, mastitis, omphalitis and neonatal enteritis, and skin diseases. Only 49.0 +/- 9.9% of breeders seek veterinary services to treat animals and 92.9 +/- 5.1% of them did not respect antibiotic withdrawal times. These practices suggest that both contamination of bovine meat with antibiotic residues and selection of resistant bacteria are to be expected, resulting in adverse health effects on consumers.