A database of disinfectants in use in six sub-Saharan African countries: A web-based application to support veterinary hygiene practices.

BACKGROUND

Effective disinfection is crucial to good hygiene practices and biosecurity in veterinary settings. Information about disinfectants and their use in veterinary practices in sub-Saharan Africa is scarce. This study aimed at mapping available veterinary disinfectants for developing a prototype digital disinfectant database in six sub-Saharan African countries (Democratic Republic of the Congo - DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, and Uganda) to support biosecurity and hygienic practices.

METHODS

Data on disinfectants available for veterinary use in the six countries were collected between 12/2024 and 11/2025 from various sources (pharmacies, hospitals, veterinary service centres, farmers, companies and registration authorities) and used to create a database of disinfectants. An algorithm-based web application was developed, into which disinfectant data was integrated.

RESULTS

Ethiopia and Ghana had the lowest diversity of disinfectants (n = 7 and 11, respectively), while Nigeria had the highest diversity (n = 33), followed by Uganda (n = 23), Senegal (n = 19) and DRC (n = 15). Among 108 total disinfectants of these countries, 20% were chlorines, 19% quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), 17% aldehydes and 17% alcohols. Alcohols predominated in Senegal (58%), chlorines in DRC (27%), QACs in Nigeria (27%) and aldehydes in Uganda (22%) and Ghana (36%), with chlorines and QACs being common to all countries. The created web-based disinfectant database has many functions for selecting a local disinfectant based on animal species, disinfection purpose and item to be disinfected.

CONCLUSION

The study findings revealed marked cross-country diversity variation in veterinary disinfectants and gaps. The developed web-based database represents a step towards supporting veterinary hygienic practices in the study countries.