Risk Perceptions of Antibiotic Usage and Resistance: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Poultry Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

<jats:p>Overwhelming empirical evidence has highlighted the contribution of indiscriminate antibiotic usage (ABU) in food animals to the overall burden of antibiotic resistance (ABR) in humans, thus making antibiotic use the main selective pressure driving antibiotic resistance. The social and behavioral perspective on antibiotic use and resistance in poultry is limited. Our study therefore aimed at obtaining information on antibiotic usage, awareness of ABR, and the attitude and perceptions towards prudent antibiotic usage and ABR. A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted in 125 poultry farms in Kwara state in December 2019. Most farmers (69.6%, n = 87/125) were aware of ABR and had satisfactory knowledge about ABR with a mean knowledge score of 3.2 ± 1.5. Age (older farmers; OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.2) and gender (male respondents, OR: 8.5, 95% CI: 3.0, 23.9; p &lt; 0.01) were more likely to have satisfactory knowledge of ABR. Tertiary education was significantly associated with ABR awareness (OR: 4.7; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.7; p = 0.007) and the ABR knowledge level (OR: 7.8; 95% CI: 3.3, 18.7; p &lt; 0.01). Higher flock size was significantly associated with a satisfactory knowledge of ABR (OR: 9.5; 95% CI: 3.8, 23.6; p &lt; 0.01). Most of the poultry farmers (68%) had positive attitudes towards prudent antibiotic use with a mean score of 2.7 ± 0.9. On the contrary, only 32.8% of poultry farmers had a desirable perception of ABR with a mean perception score of 4.9 ± 1.1. The ABR knowledge level was significantly associated with the perceptions of farmers (p &lt; 0.05) but not their attitudes toward ABU and ABR (p = 0.083). There was evidence of unprescribed use of antibiotics in poultry and a failure to observe antibiotic withdrawal periods. These constitute a risk of exposure to unacceptable levels of drug residues from poultry products and an increased risk of ABR. Improving education and communication on antibiotic stewardship programs are crucial to prevent the looming antibiotic threat.</jats:p>

Antimicrobial Usage Factors and Resistance Profiles of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Backyard Production Systems From Central Chile

“…It has also been described to BPS pig farmers, that presents low training on animal raising, with low knowledge on AM, engaging in several irrational AM use practices ( 97 ). Surface of the BPS, measure on acres, can be a proxy of flock size or total number of animals raised in the production systems, as previously reported ( 98 ), unit size as been reported as an element of inclusion for surveillance of AM usage in animal production from low and middle-income countries ( 99 ).…”

Are We Making the Most of Community Pharmacies? Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship Measures in Community Pharmacies: A Narrative Review

“…Manure and other animal waste, as well as wastewater from farms, could be contaminated with antibiotics, their metabolites and resistant strains of bacteria [ 95 , 96 , 97 ]. Their improper disposal could also contaminate food sources, further propagating their resistance [ 96 , 98 , 99 ]. A survey found that roughly half of Italian veterinarians working on pig and cattle farms considered antimicrobial usage as not always in line with the guidelines [ 100 ].…”

“…However, they seemed to be underutilized, as the farmers in those countries did not seek their advice about antibiotic choice, dosage or use [ 97 , 103 ]. Especially useful could be the pharmacists’ role as educators, as farmers are often aware of their overuse of antibiotics, or the existence of antimicrobial resistance, but still continue with their practice as they do not know its consequences on public health or alternative methods to prevent diseases [ 96 , 98 , 103 , 106 ]. Another concerning practice was discovered by a study in India where the veterinary antimicrobial medications for working animals were dispensed intentionally in wrong dosages and in higher quantities for financial gain [ 105 ].…”

Pengetahuan, Sikap, dan Praktik Peternak dalam Penggunaan Antibiotik pada Ayam Broiler di Kabupaten Subang

“…Tingkat pengetahuan resistansi antibiotik secara signifikan berhubungan dengan persepsi peternak, tetapi pengetahuan tidak berhubungan dengan sikap penggunaan antibiotik dan resistansi antibiotik (Al-Mustapha et al, 2020). Pengetahuan, sikap, dan khususnya praktik sangat bervariasi di berbagai negara.…”