Antimicrobial Use Practices and Resistance Risk in Cattle Farming in Korhogo, Ivory Coast

Cattle farming is a key sector for food and economic security in Côte d'Ivoire. However, inappropriate practices regarding the use of antimicrobials to treat cattle are prevalent among some farmers in several regions of the country. A survey assessing antimicrobial use practices in cattle farming was conducted in the Korhogo department using the Kobocollect digital questionnaire tool. This cross-sectional study of 215 cattle farmers in Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire, reveals the widespread and unregulated use of antimicrobials in livestock farming. The most frequently used antibiotics were tetracyclines (39.91%) and sulfonamides (23.95%), while the most common antiparasitic agents were diminazene (33.26%) and albendazole (29.3%). These molecules are primarily used to treat conditions such as mastitis, skin infections, digestive disorders, respiratory diseases, foot rot, fluke and trypanosomiasis. Additionally, almost one-third of farmers purchase supplies from markets or street vendors. Of these farmers, 65.9% do not follow dosage instructions, 25% interrupt treatment prematurely, and only 30.8% consult a veterinarian. Around 56.1% of livestock farmers self-medicate to treat parasitic diseases, a practice encouraged by low levels of education, empirical experience and limited access to veterinary services. These practices, combined with a heavy reliance on informal distribution channels, significantly increase the risk of antimicrobial and antiparasitic resistance emerging and spreading in the region. The study therefore highlights the urgent need to strengthen veterinary services, regulate the drug market, and educate livestock farmers in the responsible use of antimicrobials.