Assessment of Hygienic Camel Milk Production Constraints and Awareness of Microbial and Antimicrobial Residue Contamination Across the Milk Value Chain in Korahay and Fafan Zones, Somali Region, Ethiopia

Camel milk is a vital nutrition and income source in arid regions of Ethiopia, yet its value chain is constrained by poor hygiene, long transport distances, and low awareness of microbial and antimicrobial residue risks, threatening milk safety and public health. This study assessed milk handling practices, awareness of microbial and antimicrobial residue contamination, and constraints affecting hygienic camel milk production in Korahay and Fafan Zones, Somali Region, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2025 to January 2026 among 660 participants (360 producers, 120 collectors/transporters, 120 retailers, 60 consumers). Data were collected via structured questionnaires and observational checklists and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression. Producers rarely washed udder (10.8%) and stored milk overnight (40%), while handwashing before milking occurred in 77.5% of cases. Transporters used non-refrigerated vehicles (100%) with inconsistent cleaning, and milk was often exposed to sunlight (50%). Retailers stored milk mainly at room temperature (69.2%), with limited cleaning and no sanitization. Personal hygiene among handlers was poor, with 100% lacking protective clothing. Awareness of microbial contamination ranged from 10% (retailers) to 55% (consumers), and antimicrobial residue awareness was similarly low (10–55%). Only 8.3% of actors received training. Multivariable analysis showed that literacy, experience > 10 years, female gender, and age 18–40 years were significantly associated with better milk hygiene (AOR = 4.23–17.59) and higher awareness of microbial (AOR = 1.52–4.92) and antimicrobial risks (AOR = 1.91–4.39). Major constraints included limited clean water (66.1–51.7%), inadequate storage (73.1–68.3%), and recurrent drought (76.7–58.3%). Camel milk value chains in the Somali Region are characterized by poor hygiene and low awareness of contamination risks. Training, infrastructure improvements, and regulatory enforcement are critical to ensure milk safety and public health.