Knowledge and practice regarding antibiotic use among poultry farmers in Abia State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine factors that influence choice and application of antibiotics by broiler farmers in Abia State-Nigeria by administration of structured questionnaires to 110 farms. All 66 poultry farms that responded to questionnaires administered to them accepted that they use antibiotics on their farms. 67% of the farmers in Abia State were males, with first degree (41%), small-scale farmers (53%) and keeping broilers (74.2%) in deep litter system (77.3%). They said that drugs they use to treat their birds are prescribed by Veterinary Doctors (76.4%). Drug-formulations containing tetracycline (90%) are the ones most of the farmers used on their birds. 70.4% of the farmers had good knowledge of laws regulating use of antibiotics in raising food animals. They are also aware of the problem of Antimicrobial resistance.