Use of antibiotics and compliance with standard practices in Poultry Health Management among farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria
Indiscriminate use of antibiotics has led to the problem of bacterial resistance which is a major global threat to human and animal medicine. Thus, ethical issues are being raised on the practices of poultry farmers in the health management of poultry birds, as studies continue to emphasize the contribution of poultry industry to health risks associated with bacterial resistance. It is against this background that this study assessed compliance of poultry farmers to the recommended practices for the use of antibiotics in poultry health management in Oyo state, Nigeria. A total of 106 poultry farmers were drawn using multi stage sampling procedure. Structured interview schedule was used to collect data on respondents’ personal and farm characteristics, knowledge on proper use of antibiotics, factors responsible for antibiotics usage, awareness on hazardous health effect of the misuse of antibiotics and compliance to the recommended practices for use of antibiotics in poultry management. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentage, means, Chi square, Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and t- test at p = 0.0.5. Compliance to standard practice for use of antibiotics in poultry health management was poor among 50% of the respondents despite high knowledge on proper use of antibiotics and awareness of the risks associated with its misuse among majority (64.2% and 67% respectively). Compliance was fairly high in administration of antibiotics and poorest in purchase regulations. Antibiotics use among poultry farmers was motivated by factors such as growth promotion ( x̄ = 2.38), for prophylaxis ( x̄ =2.36) and prevention of possible infection ( x ̄=2.36). Age of farmers (r=0.211, p=0.030) and sex (χ2=0.271, p= 0.040) showed significant relationship with respondent’s compliance to standard practice for use of antibiotics in poultry health management. The study conclude that crave for excessive economic gains and weak enforcement of poultry health regulations are major issues responsible for poor compliance to the recommended practices for the use of antibiotics in poultry health management in Oyo state.
Keywords: Poultry health, poultry farmers, antibiotic use, compliance