A Methodological Framework for Assessing Antibiotic Residue Prevalence and Consumer Risk Perceptions in Informal Urban Meat Markets: A Kumasi Case Study

Informal urban meat markets are vital for food security in African cities but may contribute to antimicrobial resistance through unregulated antibiotic use in livestock. Standardised methods to concurrently assess antibiotic residue prevalence in meat and consumer risk perceptions in these settings are lacking. This article presents a methodological framework with two to quantify the prevalence of antibiotic residues in meat from informal markets, and to assess associated consumer knowledge, perceptions, and self-reported purchasing behaviours. The framework employs a concurrent mixed-methods design. The quantitative component involves a cross-sectional survey of consumers and vendors using a structured questionnaire, paired with laboratory analysis of meat samples for antibiotic residues via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The qualitative component uses focus group discussions to explore risk perceptions and contextual practices. The article details protocols for stratified market sampling, ethical considerations, and integrated data analysis. As a methodology article, it presents no primary empirical results. Pilot testing demonstrated the framework's feasibility. A key procedural finding was that a multi-stage, trust-building approach with vendors was essential for successful sample collection. The proposed framework offers a standardised, ethically sound approach for generating integrated evidence on antibiotic residue prevalence and its social dimensions in complex informal market environments. Researchers and public health practitioners are encouraged to adapt this framework in similar contexts. Future applications should involve regulatory bodies from the outset to facilitate evidence-based policy dialogue. Antimicrobial resistance, food safety, mixed methods, One Health, sub-Saharan Africa, veterinary public health This methodology provides an integrated tool for public health research in informal food systems, bridging a gap between laboratory science and social science to inform holistic interventions.