Abstract
The indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in livestock production is of increasing concern due to the threat of antimicrobial resistance in both humans and animals. Much emphasis has been placed on intensively managed poultry production systems, which routinely use antimicrobials as against smallholder poultry production systems (SPPS). Therefore, this study investigated the use of antimicrobials among smallholder poultry farmers in Nigeria, and compared the prevalence of antimicrobial drug use against the practice of ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM). A cross-sectional study was conducted in five states (agroecologies) of Nigeria using structured questionnaires administered on a total of 350 farmers. The practice of EVM was prevalent among most of the farmers (39%). The western method (pharmaceuticals) was practiced by a large proportion of farmers (60%), either solely (25%) or in combination with EVM (35%). Antimicrobials were used primarily for treatment and prevention of diseases (78%). Semi-scavenging system of production had the highest proportion (49%) of farmers using antimicrobials, compared to semi-intensive (37%) and scavenging (14%) systems. Gender (χ2 = 9.30, p = 0.01), and location (χ2 = 216.86, p ≤ 0.001), influenced farmers' choice of methods for bird treatment. Education (odds ratio [OR] odds ratio [OR] 3.06, 95% CI 2.10–4.44), income (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.10–3.59) and management system (OR 1.97, CI% 1.1–3.45) were most associated with antimicrobial use. Critically important antibiotics, with lower to higher risk of antimicrobial resistance, were used by farmers (40%). These findings showed the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials by farmers and the potential risk of antimicrobial resistance within the SPPS in Nigeria.
Highlights
Much emphasis has been placed on intensively managed poultry production systems, which routinely use antimicrobials as against smallholder poultry production systems (SPPS). erefore, this study investigated the use of antimicrobials among smallholder poultry farmers in Nigeria, and compared the prevalence of antimicrobial drug use against the practice of ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM)
E improved, tropically adapted chicken breeds (FUNAAB Alpha, Noiler, Kuroiler, Sasso, ShikaBrown) were introduced to smallholder poultry farmers in Nigeria through the African Chicken Genetic Gains project (2015–2019) [11, 17]. ese breeds, coupled with the existing local chicken ecotypes are a major source of animal protein in the country since smallholder poultry contribute 65–77% of the total chicken production in Nigeria [18]. is huge food resource presents a potential risk and challenge to food safety due to the abuse of antimicrobials within the production systems. erefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the use of antimicrobials among smallholder poultry farmers in Nigeria, as well as the prevalence of such use in relation to ethnoveterinary practices within the SPPS
Increasing shift in consumer preference for organicallyraised village chickens produced under scavenging and semi-scavenging production systems. Chickens reared under such systems have been reported to have a lower risk of antimicrobial resistance [23, 24] because women who are the primary keepers of these birds, serve as custodians of the indigenous veterinary knowledge used in the treatment of diseases and general flock management [8, 10, 25, 26]. e result of this study agrees with previous studies on the role and dominance of women in smallholder poultry production in developing countries [26–28]
Summary
1. Introduction e use of antimicrobials in livestock production, for disease prevention and growth promotion, is of increasing concern owing to the threat of antimicrobial resistance in both humans and animals [1]. The introduction of improved chicken breeds into smallholder poultry production systems (SPPS) as an intervention for increasing food security and livelihoods among rural households in sub-Saharan Africa [11–13] has highlighted the associated high risk of mortality in the flock due to the heterogenous condition of such environments for diseases and infection [14, 15]. In order to prevent this risk, and increase the survivability of the improved chickens, smallholder poultry farmers are exposed to the use of antimicrobials as against adopting improved biosafety and biosecurity measures in reducing the high disease burden within the production environment [10, 16]. A total of 350 (70 per state) smallholder poultry farmers participated in the study
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