Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health problem affecting animal and human medicine. Poultry production is among the primary sources of income for many Zambians. However, the increased demand for poultry products has led to a subsequent increase in antimicrobial use. This study assessed the awareness of AMR and associated factors among layer poultry farmers in Zambia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 77 participants from September 2020 to April 2021. Data was analysed using Stata version 16.1. The overall awareness of AMR among the farmers was 47% (n = 36). The usage of antibiotics in layer poultry production was high at 86% (n = 66). Most antibiotics were accessed from agrovets (31%, n = 24) and pharmacies (21%, n = 16) without prescriptions. Commercial farmers were more likely to be aware of AMR compared to medium-scale farmers (OR = 14.07, 95% CI: 2.09–94.70), as were farmers who used prescriptions to access antibiotics compared to those who did not (OR = 99.66, 95% CI: 7.14–1391.65), and farmers who did not treat market-ready birds with antibiotics compared to those who did (OR = 41.92, 95% CI: 1.26–1396.36). The awareness of AMR among some layer farmers was low. Therefore, policies that promote the rational use of antibiotics need to be implemented together with heightened surveillance activities aimed at curbing AMR.
Highlights
The use of antimicrobials in layer poultry production has continued to increase significantly in the recent past as the demand for poultry meat and eggs increases due to improvements in the social and economic lives of people [1]
The analysis revealed that commercial farmers were more likely to be aware of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) than medium-scale farmers (OR = 14.07, 95% CI: 2.09–94.70)
The appropriate information can be conveyed to layer poultry farmers through the extension of veterinarian support services or visitation, training, and educational programs on the use of antimicrobials and the factors that can lead to AMR [52,53]
Summary
The use of antimicrobials in layer poultry production has continued to increase significantly in the recent past as the demand for poultry meat and eggs increases due to improvements in the social and economic lives of people [1]. Antimicrobial drugs effectively treat infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria that usually affect egg production [2]. Their increased use for disease prevention and treatment to sustain improved egg production has contributed to escalating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) [3–6]. AMR is a global health problem that continues to negatively affect the health of humans and animals [7–9]. This phenomenon has continued to burden the healthcare system, leading to prolonged hospital admissions, difficulty in treating infections, increased medical bills and increased morbidity and mortality [10,11]. AMR awareness among layer poultry farmers is cardinal in curbing this global problem. Most poultry farmers have been reported to be less aware of AMR and the contributing factors [13]
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