Antibiotic resistance: A cross-sectional study on the characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dairy farmers’ cooperative in North Cianjur (KPSCU), Cianjur District, Indonesia

Abstract

Background and Aim: Antibiotic resistance is a component of antimicrobial resistance and is often referred to as the silent pandemic. It is one of the causes of global health problems that must be addressed. Resistance occurs due to frequent misuse and overuse of antibiotics by dairy farmers. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the influence of the characteristics of dairy farmers and analyze the variables that directly and indirectly affected the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of dairy farmers regarding antibiotic resistance in a dairy farmers' cooperative in North Cianjur. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with a structured questionnaire validated by Pearson correlation and reliability tested with Alpha Cronbach. Data were obtained from interviews with 75 dairy farmers in KPSCU, Cianjur District, West Java, Indonesia. The outcome variables were analyzed using descriptive and pathway analyses. Results: The results showed that dairy farmers had good and sufficient knowledge (42.7%), the attitude level was positive (81.3%), and all farmers had sufficient practices (100%). The results also showed that most dairy farmers were over 40 years of age, with 54.7% having elementary school education. Approximately 50.7% of farmers had been engaged in breeding for 10–20 years, 80% owned their livestock, and 76% had never attended training. There was a significant relationship between age, education, training, and knowledge level. Knowledge was the primary factor influencing the overall attitude. In addition, age, education, type of business, knowledge, and attitude were factors that influenced the practice of antibiotic resistance. Conclusion: Training and education really influenced KAP of farmers. Therefore, the best way to reduce antibiotic resistance is by increasing farmers’ knowledge and understanding of antibiotic resistance and monitoring the use of antibiotics. Keywords: antibiotic resistance, knowledge, pathways analysis, questionnaire.