Scoping Review of Factors Affecting Antimicrobial Use and the Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance in the Poultry Production Chain

This study reviews global evidence on factors driving antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in poultry production, a major contributor to resistant bacteria in the food chain. From 69 publications across 41 countries, 327 factors were identified. Most (221) related to farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices, while 57 involved misuse or poor antimicrobial practices. Key drivers include financial pressures, limited training, weak regulation of drug/feed sellers, and policy gaps. The findings underscore the complexity of AMR in poultry and call for integrated, context-specific interventions, stronger regulation, and further research into environmental and genetic influences to develop effective AMR containment strategies.