The abuse and misuse of antibiotics is one of the main drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Globally, AMR in food-producing animals is a significant public health concern. This study, therefore, assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to antibiotic usage (AMU) and AMR among poultry farmers in Nepal. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 605 poultry farmers from six districts of Nepal from May to June 2022 to assess the status of knowledge, attitude, as well as practices toward prudent antibiotic usage (AMU) and AMR. The majority of the participants in our study were from the Chitwan district (31.6%; n = 191/605), aged 30–44 (54.2%; n = 328/605), males (70.4%; n = 426/605), and farmers with a higher secondary (28.76%; n = 174/605) level of education. The tetracyclines (28%, n = 228/828), aminoglycosides (23%, n = 188/828), and fluoroquinolones (15%, n = 126/828) were the most used antibiotics classes among poultry farmers. Although 87.8% (n = 531/605) of poultry farmers used antibiotics, 49.8% (n = 301/605) of them were aware of AMR, and 55.7% (n = 337/605) knew that the misuse of antimicrobials could affect human and environmental health. There were significant differences in the knowledge, attitude, and practices toward prudent AMU and AMR among farmers who reared different birds. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice score of the respondents were 7.81 ± 3.26, 5.8 ± 2.32, and 7.59 ± 3.38 when measured on a scale of 12, 10, and 15, respectively. Based on a cut-off of 75% of the maximum score, 49.4% (n = 299/605), 62.8% (n = 380/605), and 12.73% (n = 77/605) of the respondents had good knowledge, attitude, and practices toward prudent AMU and AMR, respectively. The multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that the positive predictors of good knowledge and attitude were male gender, higher level of education, district, and the types of birds (layers). Similarly, those of the male gender (OR: 3.36; 95% CI: 1.38–8.20; p = 0.008) and those that rear layers (OR: 4.63; 95% CI: 1.75–12.25; p = 0.003) were more likely to practice prudent usage of antimicrobials. The findings of this study show poor practice toward prudent antibiotic usage despite good knowledge of AMR. This study provides essential baseline data on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of poultry farmers in Nepal and offers valuable insights that could help in the design of interventions and policies aimed at addressing illicit AMU and AMR in poultry in Nepal.

Background: Rabies remains a fatal yet preventable zoonotic disease in Nepal, particularly in the Terai region where human-animal conflict is frequent. This study analyzes the epidemiological patterns of animal bites and evaluates the timeliness and completeness of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) administration in Kapilvastu District to guide local public health interventions. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the anti-rabies vaccine register of Kapilvastu Hospital from 1 June 2022 to 31 May 2023. All recorded animal bite victims ( N = 2,853) were included. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize demographics and exposure patterns. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with delayed PEP initiation (> 24 h after exposure). Results: The study recorded 2,853 animal bite cases, predominantly males (64.5%) and children aged 0–10 years (31.4%). Dogs were responsible for the vast majority of bites (91.6%). While the PEP completion rate for the full three-dose intradermal regimen was high (93.6%), a critical delay in treatment initiation was observed; only 14.1% of victims received their first dose on the day of exposure. Multivariate analysis revealed that victims residing in municipalities outside the district headquarters had significantly higher odds of delaying treatment (AOR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.22–1.80). Adolescents (11–20 years) were also more likely to delay PEP compared to younger children (AOR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.07–1.70), whereas victims with high-risk bites (head/neck/hand) sought care more promptly (AOR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.62–0.95). Conclusions: Although vaccine coverage and completion rates in Kapilvastu are commendable, the dangerous delay in initial treatment remains a critical gap in rabies prevention. Public health interventions must specifically target adolescents and remote communities to emphasize the urgency of immediate PEP, regardless of wound severity or distance to healthcare facilities.

The cross-sectional study from July 2018 to September 2018 was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) in cattle of the Chitwan, Nawalpur, and Rupandehi districts of Nepal. The existence of antibodies against IBR was investigated in 92 serum samples obtained systematically from 55 cattle herds using Indirect-ELISA. A questionnaire interview was done to collect individual and herd-level data. The association between categorical variables and the outcome variable (seropositive) was assessed by bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis in SPSS version 19.0. The seroprevalence of IBR was 18.48% (95% CI: 11.1-27.9), and district, breed, and herd size were identified as potential risk factors for IBR seropositivity. Significantly higher risk for IBR was found in Chitwan (Percentage-Positive “PP” = 36.37%; Odd ratio “OR” = 5.211; p = 0.008) than in Nawalpur (PP = 9.38%; OR = 0.931) and Rupandehi (PP = 10.00%). PP of IBR was significantly higher in Jersey crosses (PP = 30.00%; OR = 2.893; p = 0.048) than Holstein Friesian crosses (PP = 12.90%). Similarly, herds with more than 10 cattle (PP = 33.33%; OR = 4.167; p = 0.042) were found significantly at higher odds for seropositivity than herds having less than 10 cattle (PP = 10.71%). Due to the moderate prevalence of IBR among cattle in Nepal, this study recommends conducting additional planned research on IBR at the national level to safeguard the country's dairy businesses from potential financial losses.