| dc.description.abstract | Background: Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of foodborne illnesses, is
transmitted from cows to humans through contaminated raw milk, reflecting the milking
hygiene standards of the farm. Data on livestock-associated Staphylococcus aureus (LA-
S. aureus) in Tanzania's bovine supply chain are scarce.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in cows’ raw milk,
antibiogram, and associated milking hygiene practices among small-scale farmers in the
Magu district.
Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design, examining 410 raw milk samples
from 48 farmers. Milking hygiene data were collected via questionnaires. Staphylococcus
aureus was isolated using standard laboratory methods. Drug susceptibility was tested
with the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) was identified using a cefoxitin disk, with results interpreted according to the
Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute Guideline, 2022. Data analysis was conducted
using R software, employing descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: The study included predominantly male participants who reared indigenous
cattle for dual production. Staphylococcus aureus prevalence was 23.9%, with 16.3%
being MRSA displaying varying antibiotic resistance patterns. Penicillin exhibited the
highest resistance at 45.9% (45/98), while ciprofloxacin showed the lowest at 1.1%
(1/98).
Absence of gloves usage (χ2 = 111.7, p < 0.001), poor udder cleaning practices (χ2 =
8.35, p = 0.0154), poor utensil washing practices (χ2 = 10.44, p = 0.0054), hand milking
(χ2 = 111.7, p < 0.001), and frequent use of antibiotics (χ2 = 14.06, p = 0.0071) were
significantly associated with Staphylococcus aureus contamination in raw milk.
Conclusion: The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus was high with a significant
proportion of isolates being MRSA, in raw milk from farmers. High antibiotic resistance
underscores the need for improved antimicrobial stewardship. Poor milking hygiene calls
for targeted interventions in raw milk production.
Recommendation: The veterinary and public health departments should educate farmers
on appropriate milking hygiene practices. | en_US |
