Characterisation of chicken farms in Vietnam: A typology of antimicrobial use among different production systems

Preliminary results were presented at the One Health Antimicrobial Stewardship Conference, online, 10–11 March 2021, as a pre-recorded video presentation and at the SVEPM Conference, online, 24–26 March 2021 as a poster presentation.Dataset and script used to produced the analysis and figures of this publications are available at: https://github.com/loire/AMU_ChloeBatie2022.International audienceThe usage of antimicrobials in livestock production is a driver for antimicrobial resistance worldwide. Reducing the use of antibiotics in the animal sector is a priority and requires a change in practices. Vietnam has diverse husbandry and antimicrobial use practices. The objective of this study was to determine the socio-economic and technical factors associated with antibiotic usage patterns on chicken farms in the north and south of Vietnam. Semi-structured interviews (n = 34) and on-farm questionnaires (n = 125) were conducted to collect socio-economic, technical, biosecurity, health management, and antibiotic usage data. Using Multivariate Corresponding Analysis, we identified three production systems (A, B, C) and three patterns of antibiotic usage (1, 2, 3). Group A raised indoor exotic chickens in an intensive setting and was associated with group 1, which used antibiotics according to company recommendations for both treatment and prevention. Group C raised free-range chickens for their own consumption and was associated with group 2, which used antibiotics according to drugstore advice for treatment. Finally, group B was a market-oriented, semi-confined system associated with group 3, which practiced experience-based antibiotic use and overuse. Farms in the south of Vietnam were associated with group 3 and those in the north with group 2. The prediction of antibiotic usage patterns based on farming practices could lead to the identification of a group of farms to be targeted in order to foster the more prudent use of antibiotics in Vietnam