Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward antibiotics resistance among poultry farmers at Bancharampur Upazila in Brahmanbaria

Abstract

One of the main hotspots for the misuse of antimicrobials is poultry farming. Poultry farmers' knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs) are closely associated with the practical use of antimicrobials in poultry farm practices. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the poultry farmers' knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding antimicrobial use (AMU) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Bramanbaria district at Bancharampur Upazila from January to June 2022. This study surveyed thirty-five commercial poultry farms by using a pretested questionnaire. This study observed that 48.57% of poultry owners did not know who had the right to write a prescription. Most (85.71%) farm owners did not know about antimicrobial resistance. Most (85.71%) poultry farm owners use antibiotics during brooding periods, and 51.43% of farm owners use antibiotics as growth promotors. Around 55% of farm owners obtained antibiotics from private pharmacies, and 58 % used antibiotics without a prescription from their previous experiences. The most frequently used antibiotics are ciprofloxacin (22.85%), enrofloxacin(14.28%), oxytetracycline (14.28%), and gentamycin (11.42%). Approximately (85.71%) of farm owners did not know about antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial residue. In conclusion, poultry farm owners have a poor level of awareness regarding antibiotic use and resistance. Now it is high time to take the necessary step to protect the future generation from antimicrobial resistance by building awareness among poultry farmers.