Enhancing data analysis skills for researchers from Vietnam and Laos on antimicrobial resistance use data in livestock systems

Vietnam and Laos face significant challenges in antimicrobial resistance, intensified by the inappropriate use of antibiotics in healthcare and agriculture. The misuse of antibiotics in poultry farming has led to the emergence of resistant bacteria, posing serious threats to animals, humans, and environmental health.

Recognizing these challenges, the CGIAR Initiative on One Health and the ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food and Nutrition Security Regional Program have prioritized research on antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use in Vietnam and Laos, respectively.

The CGIAR Initiative on One Health Initiative supports capacity development as part of its commitment to improving global health through integrated research on human, animal and environmental health.

The ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food and Nutrition Security Regional Program aims to enhance regional collaboration in One Health and tackling antimicrobial resistance under its intervention packages on ‘regenerative agriculture and aquaculture practices and judicious agrochemical use’ and ‘transboundary pest and diseases’.

This research on antimicrobial use and resistance is achieved through the collaboration of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the National Institute of Veterinary Research of Vietnam and the National University of Laos.

Scientists from these institutions carried out a survey on antibiotic use practices in semi-intensive poultry farms in Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam (October 2023–April 2024) and across small- to medium-scale poultry farms in Vientiane, Bolikhamxay and Luangprabang provinces of Laos (February–April 2024).

As part of capacity building, ILRI held a workshop in Vietnam on 25–27 June 2024 to train data analysts from the National Institute of Veterinary Research of Vietnam and the National University of Laos on processing and statistical analysis of the collected field data.

Trainees also included ILRI PhD students and research fellows from the Southeast Asia One Health University Network.

Dishon Muloi and Sinh Dang-Xuan, epidemiologists from ILRI’s Animal and Human Health program, facilitated the training workshop which included theoretical and practical sessions.

Participants learned various principles of data processing and cleaning.

The training commenced with a description of the FarmUSE survey tool.

The trainers emphasized the importance of systematic data collection, exploration and statistical analysis, particularly regarding how different survey sections and variables link to the study outcome of antimicrobial use on farms.

The training underscored the need for contextual data interpretation to explain the findings in relation to the perceptions, knowledge and practices of farmers, animal productivity and economic factors.

Participants discussed surveillance systems, data types and exploration, missing data, descriptive and inferential statistics, causal diagrams, analysis plans, hypotheses and types of statistical tests.

The session concluded with designing antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems, including objectives, target populations, geographical locations and sampling strategies.

The trainers stressed that strong data management, rigorous analysis and interpretation and clear communication are vital for successful national surveillance efforts.

Vannaphone Phouthana, acting dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Laos, highlighted the regional impact of the training workshop, noting that the university’s collaboration with CGIAR strengthened the capacity to address antimicrobial resistance in Laos.

“The skills and knowledge gained are vital for advancing our research and informing policy decisions”, he said.