Parents’ and livestock keepers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antimicrobial residues in cow milk in Morogoro Municipality and Monduli District, Tanzania

Abstract

Milk is an important human dietary source of essential nutrients, particularly children and other nutritionally vulnerable groups. However, uncontrolled antimicrobial use in lactating cows may contribute to presence of antimicrobial residues in milk. This cross-sectional study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of livestock keepers and parents or guardians of children under
five on antimicrobial residues in cow’s milk and related health implications in Morogoro Municipality and Monduli District. A questionnaire was administered to 100 livestock keepers and 340 parents or guardians, and descriptive statistics summarized the data. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to assess the relationship between potential explanatory variables and the KAP scores of
respondents. It was found that cattle diseases and poor knowledge were primary factors contributing to indiscriminate use of antimicrobials. Up to 64.4% of parents or guardians were unaware of antimicrobial residues, 42.6% of livestock keepers did not comply with drug withdrawal time, and 59.7% of parents or guardians had inadequate knowledge on health impacts of antimicrobial residues on children. Most livestock keepers and parents or guardians demonstrated favourable opinions of 50% and 51.5% respectively, about milk safety and expressed concern about potential health impacts of antimicrobial residues in milk. Up to 79% of livestock keepers concurred with compliance on antimicrobial withdrawal period. The KAP of livestock keepers about antimicrobial residues were strongly affected by age, gender, farming experience, and cattle breed (p <0.05). Among parents or guardians, age significantly influenced knowledge (p=0.047). The findings underscore the necessity for tailored stakeholder-specific interventions, despite positive KAP scores, to enhance milk safety and mitigate public health risks.