Practices and Challenges of Veterinary Paraprofessionals in Regards to Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Animals in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

We conducted a qualitative study to explore the practices and challenges of veterinary paraprofessionals (paravets) on antimicrobial use and resistance in domestic animals. Methods: This was a qualitative study, which involved semi-structured interviews with paravets from the Ilala, Ubungo, Kigamboni, Kinondoni, and Temeke districts in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Results: A total of 40 paravets participated in this study. The majority (72.5%) admitted to having not undergone any formal training on antimicrobial use and/or resistance. Paravets face several challenges, including poor working conditions and having no access to laboratory services to advise on antimicrobial choice and selection. They also face challenges from livestock farmers such as the inability to afford the recommended medicines, the self-prescription of antimicrobials, and poor record keeping. The presence of sub-standard medicine and the lack of guidelines on the appropriate disposal of medicines were also identified as affecting their services. Conclusion: Paravets should be trained in the judicious use of antimicrobials, and the same training should be used to refresh their knowledge on the diagnosis and prevention of infections. The Veterinary Council of Tanzania and other regulatory agencies should assist in addressing the challenges facing paravets that are related to animal health services and the quality of medicines.

Diverging Discourses: Animal Health Challenges and Veterinary Care in Northern Uganda

“…Several studies have shown the important role that paraprofessionals can play in disease prevention and even eradication (85)(86)(87). A second component for paraprofessionals to play a key role in disease prevention and eradication is revived and standardized training of paraprofessionals, something that is also emphasized in other studies (88,89). Smallholders also need to have strategies to distinguish between the relative qualifications of the various veterinary actors providing services (90).…”

Determination of Sulphonamides and Tetracycline Residues in Liver Tissues of Broiler Chicken Sold in Kinondoni and Ilala Municipalities, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

“…Unfortunately, an overwhelming proportion of human and veterinary medicines sold in pharmacies are dispensed without a prescription [ 5 , 8 ], including prohibited antimicrobials such as furazolidone [ 21 ]. Moreover, for the great majority of poultry farmers, the treatment services are provided by veterinary paraprofessionals, the majority of whom (72.5%) have not received any formal training on AMU or AMR [ 28 , 29 ]. This situation calls for vigorous monitoring and observation of the withdrawal periods, which should be advocated to ensure that the food from animals is safe with regard to the residues of veterinary medicines.…”

“…Fortunately, Tanzania has policies and guidelines that address the use of antimicrobials in animal food and agricultural systems using a ‘one health’ approach [ 30 ]. However, these policies and regulations are poorly enforced due to weak systems, particularly in animal food production [ 22 , 28 , 29 ].…”

“…We further recommend a ‘one health’ approach, as embraced in Tanzania’s AMR National Action Plan 2017–2022 to promote rational use and reduce antimicrobial consumption and resistance in humans and animals [ 30 ]. Finally, veterinary paravets, who are actually providing veterinary services to most farmers [ 28 , 29 ], should be trained on the judicious of antimicrobials, as well as receiving refresher courses on the diagnosis and prevention of infections through short courses arranged by The Veterinary Council of Tanzania.…”

Assessment of veterinary pharmaceutical warehouse management practices and its associated challenges in four selected zones and Bahir Dar city of Amhara regional state, Ethiopia

“…According to a study conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa, the weak distribution of infrastructure and services and the multiplication of non-professional actors in the veterinary drug chains are the major constraints for farmers to access good-quality drugs ( 18 ). Another study conducted in Dares Salaam, Tanzania, revealed that poor record-keeping and the lack of guidelines on the appropriate disposal of veterinary medicines are the factors that affect drug handling and management ( 19 ). A study conducted in Nigeria showed that Africa had lost USD 4 billion due to preventable livestock diseases ( 4 ).…”