A Survey of Antibiotics Use and the Awareness of Antibiotics Resistance Among Farmers of Broiler Farms at Sylhet Sadar Upazilla in Bangladesh

Abstract

Antibiotics serve as essential medicines for raising broiler chicken meat in Bangladesh therefore it is important to find out whether is any misuse of antibiotics. The goal of this study is to scrutinize the commonly used antibiotics, in broiler industries, to evaluate factors govern farmers "selection of antibiotics" and to assess the status of poultry farmers knowledge about antibiotic resistant (ABR). A cross-sectional survey was conducted over a period of around one year among 50 broiler farms of about 25000 birds at Sylhet district in Bangladesh. Data revealed that Amoxicillin, Enrofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Azithromycin, Cephalexin, Erythromycin, Neomycin and Colistin were found most commonly used antibiotics. Majority poultry farmer's bear's very poor educational status and knowledge about farm management, did not follow the registered veterinarian suggestions and attained any training. They are totally unaware about antibiotics resistance and its impact on public health. No monitoring or surveillance concerning ABR and haphazard and misuse of antibiotics from any government and non-government organization were observed during the study period. It is concluded that, misuse and haphazard use of antibiotics is the normal feature at broiler farms in the study area of Bangladesh, which plays a major role in the egress public health crisis of ABR. Therefore, regulative authorities must take deligent steps to control the uses of antibiotics in broiler industries, to stop the misuse of antibiotics, to ensure proper veterinary service and building mass awareness about ABR and its impact on public health.