"If you want to sleep easy, you give antibiotics" exploring drivers of antimicrobial use in the small- and medium scale broiler sector in Indonesia: A qualitative study.

Authors

Rianna Anwar Sani, Annisa Rachmawati, Sunandar Sunandar, Gian Pertela, Tri Nurdianti, Imron Suandy, Jaap A Wagenaar, David C Speksnijder, Koen Peeters Grietens, Mira Schneiders

Published in

Preventive veterinary medicine. Volume 255. Pages 106955. Jul 10, 2026. Epub Jul 10, 2026.

Abstract

Antimicrobial use (AMU) in livestock contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major public health concern. In Indonesia, poultry is the main source of animal protein, and demand continues to rise. High AMU, with 80% being prophylactic, is common and needs to be addressed. Building on an intervention study to improve responsible AMU and decrease AMR, this qualitative study aims to clarify the motivations and perceptions regarding AMU on Indonesian small- and medium scale broiler farms, refining interventions and strengthening responsible AMU in this context. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews, informal conversations, and participant observations. All interviews were conducted between October 2024 and December 2024. FINDINGS: show that AMU is driven by diverse factors but is largely rooted in financial risk management. Antimicrobials were often used as an inexpensive safeguard against production losses, particularly under economic uncertainty. Key influences included distrust in the quality of day old chicks, limited resources for improving farm management, and pressure to meet rapid production timelines. Although stewardship interventions from the previous intervention study were initially well received, consistent adoption proved challenging due to limited guidance, resource constraints, and competing farm priorities. This study offers valuable insights into the underlying drivers of AMU within the Indonesian small- and medium scale broiler sector in West Java, highlighting the multifaceted nature of AMU decision-making. Moreover, integrating these qualitative insights with findings from the quantitative longitudinal intervention study can inform the design of more targeted and effective interventions.

PMID:
42485744
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 23 Jul 2026.

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