Analysis of Oxytetracycline and Penicillin G Levels in Milk and the Dairy Producers' Knowle dge, Attitudes, and Practices on Antibiotic Residues: Implications for Public Health in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Antibiotic residues in animal products, including milk, pose significant health risks, such as contributing to antibiotic resistance, allergic reactions, toxicity, and potential carcinogenic effects, as well as environmental contamination. This study assessed the levels of oxytetracycline (OTC) and penicillin G (PG) in milk and dairy producers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to antibiotic residues in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia. A total of 81 dairy farmers were interviewed to evaluate their KAP, while 260 milk samples were collected for residue analysis. Results showed that the mean knowledge score was 1.78 ± 0.41, with only 22.2% demonstrating adequate understanding. The mean attitude score was 2.52 ± 0.81, with 25.9% exhibiting positive attitudes, and practices had a mean score of 3.30 ± 1.19, with 27.2% adhering to good practices