One Health: Trainings and awareness-raising on antibiotic resistance in Togo

Antibiotic resistance is recognized as one of the top ten global threats to public health by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is estimated to be responsible for approximately 27.3 deaths in 100,000 per year in Africa. This issue is a daily concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where infectious pathologies are prevalent due to socio-economic conditions, poor hygiene practices that encourage the spread of infections, and the presence of illicit drug distribution channels distributing substandard medications, thereby heightening the risk of antibiotic resistance emergence.

Livestock farming in Togo is prevalent among the Peuhl communities in the northern region of the country and remains an essential source of household income and food. The predominant traditional livestock farming system in these areas relies on natural grazing lands. However, this system faces several challenges, notably the prevalence of animal diseases, including zoonoses, and the utilization of unsuitable veterinary practices such as self-medication, non-adherence to post-treatment waiting periods, low vaccination rates and deworming.

In response to these challenges and the objective to enhance local milk production in Togo, VSF-Suisse has launched a baseline study on the prevalence of antibiotic residues in cow’s milk sourced from dairy farms situated within the intervention areas of the WOMEN project (Oti and Oti-Sud in northern Togo). This project, which started in 2022 and is funded jointly by ECOWAS and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, is being implemented in collaboration with our local partner organization GEVAPAF.

The favorable outcomes observed in this study led to the convening of a workshop focused on enhancing human and animal health in the Savanes region, where the project is situated. The workshop was organized in partnership with the Direction Régionale de l’Agriculture, de l’Élevage et du Développement Rural des Savanes (DRAEDR-S), with the intention of disseminating the study findings and enhancing the skills of community health workers, within the framework of a One Health strategy.

It is undeniable that public health is closely linked to the shared use of antibiotics, both in humans and animals. Therefore, to ensure public health, it is imperative to restrict the development and dissemination of antibiotic resistance by engaging all stakeholders within the value chain. Through the establishment of a ‘One Health’ consultation, we have convened various participants including animal health practitioners (community animal health workers, veterinarians, and animal health technicians), human health professionals (community health workers), as well as dairy producers and processors.

In order to enhance impact, an awareness-raising campaign was held at the populations of the two prefectures, as part of the State’s efforts to promote behavioral change and, more importantly, to promote the adoption of best practices aimed at reducing the prevalence of these public health hazards. The awareness-raising efforts were conducted by trained community workers who had undergone capacity-building training to effectively apply the knowledge acquired during their training.

Through these campaigns, 276 farmers and 128 processors were educated on the issues related to harmful agricultural practices currently in use, as well as the severe and often irreversible consequences they pose to human and animal health.