Antibiotic Use And Practices In Selected Fish Farms In The Ashanti Region Of Ghana

Esther Eyram Agoba,Christian Agyare,Vivian Etsiapa Boamah,Francis Adu

doi:10.21767/2472-1093.100036

Abstract

Background: Antibiotics may be used in fish farms to prevent or treat bacterial infections especially in hatcheries. This affects a wide range of bacteria and has potential impact on receiving water bodies and fish pathogens and has been reported to contribute to antibiotic resistance in other parts of the world but there is no available report from Ghana. Aim: This study was carried out to assess some fish farming practices among catfish and tilapia farmers which may contribute to antibiotic resistance. Method: Validated questionnaires were administered to 63 fish farmers and 9 fishery officers in six zones of the Ministry of Fisheries, Ashanti Region of Ghana. Results/Findings: Seventy three percent of farmers claimed not to use antibiotics on their farms. Three farmers (4.8%) used tetracycline on the fish farms whilst two hatchery farmers add antibiotics (tetracycline or chloramphenicol) to fish feed. 93.6% of respondents who use manure on fish farms use poultry manure from commercial poultry farms and use it mainly to fertilize fish ponds. Conclusion: Most of the fish farmers interviewed do not use antibiotics on fish farms, practices such as manure use and untreated waste disposal may contribute to antibiotic resistance on fish farms in Ghana.

Highlights

Antibiotic resistance is one of the major health challenges, which is largely attributed to varying factors such as
A total of 63 farmers in the Ashanti Region were interviewed of which 73% of farmers reported no use of antibiotics on the fish farms
Antibiotics are used on fish farms for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases and same antibiotics used in humans, have been used in fish farming and may be administered through feed or direct application in pond water [18]

Summary

Introduction

A survey was conducted in six zones of the Fisheries commission of Ghana in the Ashanti Region. Fish farming is a growing business in Ghana and is becoming widely practiced is across parts of the country including the Ashanti Region [15]. Antibiotics may be used in fish farms to prevent or treat bacterial infections especially in hatcheries. This affects a wide range of bacteria and has potential impact on receiving water bodies and fish pathogens and has been reported to contribute to antibiotic resistance in other parts of the world but there is no available report from Ghana. Method: Validated questionnaires were administered to 63 fish farmers and 9 fishery officers in six zones of the Ministry of Fisheries, Ashanti Region of Ghana. Three farmers (4.8%) used tetracycline on the fish farms whilst two hatchery farmers add antibiotics (tetracycline or chloramphenicol) to fish feed. 93.6% of respondents who use manure on fish farms use poultry manure from commercial poultry farms and use it mainly to fertilize fish ponds

Objectives

Results

Conclusion