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Characterising and comparing drug-dispensing practices at animal health outlets in the Rift Valley, Kenya: an exploratory analysis (part II)

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An Erratum to this article was published on 13 October 2016

Abstract

A mixed-method study was conducted in the Rift Valley of Kenya to characterise drug-dispensing practices amongst staff at animal health outlets and to explore perceptions of veterinary medicines amongst pastoralists and farmers. Forty structured questionnaires were administered to staff at animal health outlets, including franchise outlets of ‘Sidai Africa Ltd.’, and two focus group discussions were facilitated to explore the perceptions of local animal health services by a Maasai pastoralist group and a dairy farmer cooperative. Differences were detected in the characteristics of Sidai outlets, agrovets, pharmacies and dukas. A greater proportion of Sidai outlet staff selected drugs based on principles of responsible drug use than staff at other types of outlet, and technical qualifications and training were associated with responsible drug use. Across all outlet types, staff knowledge and training gaps were identified, including in the correct administration of medicines. The majority of drug sales are accompanied by verbal advice to farmers. Members of the Maasai pastoralist group were concerned about accidental self-medication, withdrawal periods, drug residues and the misuse of drugs due to a lack of quality information and advice. The dairy farmer group raised similar concerns, reporting under-dosing as a common mistake amongst farmers. This study concludes that current knowledge, attitudes and practices of many service providers and livestock owners in the sale, purchase and use of veterinary medicines present risks of drug misuse and therefore the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. There is a clear demand from livestock keepers for accessible, affordable and quality animal health services and products in Kenya, and animal health practitioners have the potential to provide increased support to livestock-based livelihoods and act as stewards of our existing portfolio of animal and human medicines.

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Acknowledgments

This research was kindly funded by the Fund for Sankalpa. The authors would like to thank Ruth Layton, Christie Peacock, Rezin Ochieng Odede and Ruth Clements for providing their support and help in this project. The authors also extend their deep gratitude to the many animal health outlet staff, farmers and pastoralists who willingly gave their time and shared their views during data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. FAI Farms Ltd, The Field Station, Wytham, Oxford, OX2 8QJ, UK

    L. E. Higham

  2. Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK

    L. E. Higham

  3. Sidai Africa Ltd., Nairobi, Kenya

    W. Ongeri & K. Asena

  4. Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG, UK

    M. V. Thrusfield

Authors
  1. L. E. Higham
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  2. W. Ongeri
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  3. K. Asena
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  4. M. V. Thrusfield
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. E. Higham.

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Ethical statement

Ethical approval was sought from the contributing organisations and from local institutions for conducting this study. This study was conducted alongside the NGO Sidai Africa Ltd., and interviews and focus group sessions were conducted with consenting Sidai staff and customers and staff members at neighbouring shops.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11250-016-1165-8.

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Higham, L.E., Ongeri, W., Asena, K. et al. Characterising and comparing drug-dispensing practices at animal health outlets in the Rift Valley, Kenya: an exploratory analysis (part II). Trop Anim Health Prod 48, 1633–1643 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-016-1137-z

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