Assessment of Antibiotic Use Practices among Livestock Farmers in Ogun State, South West Nigeria: Implications for One Health

Background: The use of antibiotics in livestock farming, particularly without veterinary prescription, contributes to the emergence of zoonotic antimicrobial resistance and poses risks to human health through food chain transmission. The One Health framework recognises this human-animal-environment interface as critical to antimicrobial stewardship. This study assessed antibiotic use practices among livestock farmers in Ogun State. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 260 livestock farmers in three agricultural districts of Ogun State. Data were collected on types of animals farmed, antibiotic classes used, frequency and purpose of use, source of antibiotics, and awareness of antimicrobial resistance. Results: Non-prescribed antibiotic use was reported by 72 percent of farmers. Oxytetracycline (51%) and enrofloxacin (34%) were most commonly used. Growth promotion was cited as a use purpose by 28 percent of farmers. Awareness of antibiotic resistance was low, with only 18 percent connecting livestock antibiotic use to human health risk. Conclusion: Unsupervised antibiotic use in Ogun State livestock farming is widespread and presents a significant One Health concern. Veterinary outreach, farmer education, and enhanced regulation of veterinary antimicrobial sales are urgently required. Keywords: livestock antibiotic use, antimicrobial resistance, One Health, Ogun State, zoonosis