A questionnaire survey of poultry layer farmers in Khartoum State, Sudan, to study their antimicrobial awareness and usage patterns

Abstract

An initial census of layer farms in Khartoum State, Sudan, was carried out in late 2007 and early 2008 and found that there were 252 layer farms with a total population of 2 221 800 birds. This paper reports the findings of the census. Based on this information, a structured questionnaire survey of 92 farms was then conducted in the state in April 2008 to collect data on antibiotic usage, demographic data and public health awareness. Ninety-eight per cent of participating farms comprised open-sided houses. It was found that 49% of the farms surveyed were on antibiotic treatment when the survey was conducted, whilst 59% of the farms had used antibiotics within the last 3 months. The study found that farmers and producers had a lack of knowledge about antimicrobial residues, their withdrawal periods and the risk posed by the consumption of these residues. The study also concluded that traditional farming systems in Sudan relied heavily on antimicrobial medication to control disease and almost half of the farms surveyed were treating their flocks with antimicrobials. In addition to this, there was a lack of disease control programmes which probably resulted in a massive use of antibiotics to control endemic diseases. This was further compounded by the absence of governmental supervision and control on the use of drugs.

Drivers of Antibiotic Use in Poultry Production in Bangladesh: Dependencies and Dynamics of a Patron-Client Relationship

“…Prophylactic use of antibiotics in commercial poultry production is also common in other countries in Asia including Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand (29). Poultry farmers using antibiotics as a growthpromoters perceive the costs of antibiotics to be paid off by rapid growth rates (30). Using more, or different types of antibiotics is also perceived by farmers as keeping their farm more secure and productive (24).…”

Antibiotic use in chicken farms in northwestern China

“…In contrast farmers from developed countries such as Germany have a higher level of awareness of the possible transmission between animals and humans [42]. Training in pharmaceutical knowledge and antibiotic stewardship will reduce the prevalence of multiple antibiotic use [5,13,14]. Table 5 Regulations related to antibiotic use in food animals vs findings in this study Regulation Facts in this study -Use of any antibiotic included in the prohibited list is forbidden.…”

“…Previous studies mostly examined antibiotic resistant microbial strains and resistance patterns [11,12] while antibiotic use on chicken farms is highly related to farmers' knowledge and attitude [13,14]. Understanding farmers' antibiotic use and their justification for the use can help reduce the problems.…”

Antibiotic Usage Pattern in Poultry and Resistance Pattern of Human Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated from Poultry Droppings in Akure, Nigeria

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