Analysis of Oxytetracycline and Penicillin G Levels in Milk and Dairy Producers' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Antibiotic Residues: Implications for Public Health in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia

Background Antibiotic residues in milk pose significant public health risks, including the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), allergic reactions, and toxicity. This study assessed the levels of oxytetracycline (OTC) and penicillin G (PG) in milk and evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of dairy producers in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia. Results A cross-sectional study was conducted with 81 dairy farmers interviewed using a structured questionnaire and 260 milk samples collected for analysis. Initial screening via a well diffusion assay showed 15.38% of samples contained antibiotic residues. Confirmatory analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) quantified OTC in 5.77% of samples (range: 5.53–127.11 µg/L) and PG in 3.85% (range: 0.77–11.32 µg/L). Notably, 60% of OTC-positive and 50% of PG-positive samples exceeded the Codex Alimentarius maximum residue limits (MRLs). The KAP survey revealed low mean scores (Knowledge: 1.78 ± 0.41; Attitude: 2.52 ± 0.81; Practice: 3.30 ± 1.19), with only 22.2%, 25.9%, and 27.2% of producers demonstrating adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices, respectively. Demographic factors (age, education, experience) significantly influenced KAP scores (p < 0.001). The calculated hazard quotients for OTC (0.0403) and PG (0.192), with a combined HQ of 0.2323, indicate a low immediate health risk from daily consumption. Conclusions The findings confirm the presence of antibiotic residues in milk at levels exceeding safety standards and identify significant gaps in dairy producers' KAP. This highlights a critical need for public health interventions, including enhanced education on antibiotic use, strict residue monitoring, and strengthened regulatory frameworks to mitigate AMR risks and ensure milk safety.