Understanding attitude, practices and knowledge of zoonotic infectious disease risks among poultry farmers in Ghana

Abstract

Zoonotic infectious diseases (ZIDs) are increasing globally, and livestock farmers in low‐ and middle‐income countries are at particularly high risk. An evaluation of farmer's behaviour on farms can be used to identify the risk factors and to develop tailored control strategies. This study documents the knowledge of zoonotic poultry diseases (ZPD) among 152 poultry farm workers (respondents) from 76 farms in the Ashanti region of Ghana and assessed their on‐farm attitude and practices that increase their risk to exposure of ZPD. The median age of respondents was 29 years, 91.4% ( n = 139) had a formal education, and 80.9% ( n = 123) had worked on the farm for more than 1 year. The majority of farms ( n = 69, 90.8%) had multiple flocks and 27.6% ( n = 21) kept other animals, of which 57.1% ( n = 12) were pigs. The majority of respondents had good knowledge about poultry diseases but not about ZPD. A higher level of education and longer work experience improved respondents’ knowledge of poultry and ZPD. Although respondents identified the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) as a major ZPD preventive measure, the majority did not put that knowledge into practice. Most farms (71.1%, n = 54) had no footbath and 55.3% ( n = 42) deposited farm‐waste on the farm. While 97.4% ( n = 148) of respondents washed their hands after working, only 48.7% ( n = 74) wore protective footwear, 2.7% ( n = 4) wore overalls, 2% ( n = 3) wore nose masks and none ( n = 0) wore gloves. The husbandry practices and attitude of farmers expose them to pathogens on the farm and increase their risk of becoming infected with ZPD in the sub‐region. The results from this study could be used to promote human health among farm workers in Ghana.

Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli from Broilers, Pigs, and Cattle in the Greater Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

“…The high prevalence may have been as a result of the prolonged use of the drug as well as its long existence in animal husbandry use. There is also the factor of most farmers relying on their experiences as well as inputs from other farmers as compared to patronising the services of veterinary officers [ 15 , 17 , 18 ] which they consider much more expensive in administering drugs to their animals especially poultry birds; hence, the apparent resistance is found in these two classes of antimicrobials. The moderate resistance in cattle could be linked to the infrequent use of antimicrobials, which are mainly employed for therapeutic purposes in the species [ 19 ].…”

Antimicrobial, Multi-Drug and Colistin Resistance in Enterobacteriaceae in Healthy Pigs in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, 2022: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Thus, even though animals present on a farm may not have been given certain antimicrobials, AMR bacteria can still be acquired. The lack of proper biosecurity measures such as restricting movement of people on the farms and preventing animals such as domestic dogs, chickens and wild birds from straying onto farms could be another factor which facilitates the exposure of the pigs to environmental transmission of AMR [ 37 , 38 ].…”

Zoonotic Risks from Domestic Animals in Ghana

“…In addition, diseases (including helminthiasis) and theft also account for a significant amount of animal losses. To avert economic losses resulting from theft [36], animal owners keep their livestock in proximity to their residence to ensure effective monitoring [37], a condition that may aid zoonotic transmissions. In Ghana, management practices and productivity of ruminants vary from place to place.…”

“…A number of zoonotic poultry diseases have been recorded in Ghana, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1, Newcastle disease, Salmonellosis, and Coccidiosis [68][69][70][71]. Poor onfarm attitudes and practices increase the risk of human infections with zoonotic poultry diseases [37].…”