Antimicrobials have a vital role in both humans and animals because they are used to treat infections caused by microbes [1] [2]. In poultry, most antimicrobials have been inappropriately used for growth promotion, improving production, and prevention of diseases [3] [4]. The inappropriate use of antimicrobials in poultry has contributed to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) [5] [6] [7]. AMR is a phenomenon used to describe the ability of microbes to stop or resist responding to antimicrobial therapy [8] [9]. Therefore, the development and spread of antimicrobial-resistant strains have negated the ability to treat infectious diseases and save lives [10] [11]. As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, infections persist and may spread to other animals and humans [9] [12] [13]. AMR is supposed to take place as a natural phenomenon because it is due to genetic changes in the microbes but the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials enhance the process [9] [12] [14].

AMR has become a major health concern globally because it poses a threat to animal and human life, thus hindering the development of the universe at large [9] [11] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]. Across human and animal health, the development of drug-resistant pathogens has been exacerbated by the inappropriate use of antimicrobials, low knowledge, negative attitudes, and poor practices regarding AMU and AMR [19] - [25]. Deaths from drug-resistant infections have been projected to increase from the current 700,000 to 10 million annually and are estimated to cost approximately $100 trillion worldwide by 2050 [26]. Alongside this, AMR poses many consequences and cost implications across the globe [8] [9] [27] [28].

The extensive use of antimicrobials in animals contributes to the development of resistance in human beings through the consumption of meat, milk and other animal products that contain antimicrobial residues [3] [15] [29] [30] [31]. These food-borne pathogens have become a concern to human health [30] [32]. It has been reported that there is a general misconception among poultry farmers that every sick animal needs to be given antimicrobials and that these drugs do not have side effects on animals as well as humans that consume them [33]. This highlights the possible misuse of antimicrobials among poultry farmers who have inadequate knowledge of the consequences these drugs may cause on animals and humans. Broiler chicken rearing is one of the most common businesses in Zambia while a few people keep layers and village chickens for consumption as well as selling [34].

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes are critical in promoting the rational use of antimicrobials [35] - [43]. The AMS programmes focused on farms have been associated with a reduction in AMR in livestock [44] [45]. Alongside this, the development of Farmer Field Schools may also promote the rational use of antimicrobials and reduce AMR in poultry [46] [47]. The reduced AMR in livestock may subsequently reduce AMR in humans. Like many other countries, Zambia has also established a National Action Plan (NAP) on AMR that details a multi-sectoral approach focused on AMS for the human and animal sectors [48] [49]. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) regarding antimicrobial usage (AMU) and AMR among poultry farmers in the Chimwemwe township of Kitwe district in Zambia.

This study assessed the poultry farmer’s knowledge, attitude and practices regarding AMU and AMR in Kitwe, Zambia. AMR resistance is a growing global public health concern. This study found a low awareness (29.2%) of AMR, low knowledge (46.2%) of AMU and AMR, negative attitude, and poor practices towards AMU and AMR. Additionally, the use of antimicrobials was found to be 83% with oxytetracycline being the most dispensed.

Overall, the current study found that most poultry farmers had low knowledge of AMU and AMR. These findings are similar to reports from Cameroon where poultry farmers had low knowledge of AMU and AMR [51]. The low knowledge scores in the current study show that there is a knowledge gap among the majority of poultry farmers. Subsequently, this may result in the irrational use of antimicrobials because poultry farmers do not know the consequences that these drugs may produce when used inappropriately. The implications of poultry farmers having low knowledge of AMU and AMR is that they may tend to use antimicrobials inappropriately and worsen AMR [33]. Hence, there is a need for these poultry farmers to be sensitised regarding correct AMU and AMR.

This study revealed that the majority of the participants (90.6%) knew what antimicrobials are but only 31% of the participants knew AMR. An earlier study by Mudenda and colleagues also revealed low awareness of AMR among layer poultry farmers in Zambia [52]. These findings correspond with a study done in Sudan where only 30% of poultry farmers interviewed knew about AMR [9]. Another study which was done in Malaysia also revealed that the majority of poultry farmers had low knowledge of AMR and how it can affect public health [33]. In Peru, similar findings were reported where the farm workers had low awareness of AMR [53]. The low awareness of AMR among poultry farmers calls for improved educational interventions and the strengthening of antimicrobial stewardship programmes.

Our study found that 52% of poultry farmers believed that antimicrobials could be used to treat any disease, and only 40% responded that they are used to treat specific infections caused by bacteria. The findings are similar to those reported by Geta and Kibret [5]. The findings are a source of concern because poultry farmers will misuse antimicrobials for any illness including viral infections. This was also evidenced by a study conducted by Mpundu and colleagues regarding AMR in poultry [54]. Another study by Moffo et al. 2020 found a low mean knowledge score, desirable attitude and appropriate practice towards AMU and AMR [51]. Our study found that 54% of the participants reported that antimicrobials could have side effects if misused. A study in Malaysia reported similar findings in which most poultry farmers responded that antimicrobials have side effects [33].

A significant relationship was found between the knowledge level and the level of education as well as the primary occupation of the poultry farmers. Most poultry farmers who attained tertiary education generally had high knowledge scores. This could be attributed to the fact that participants of the tertiary level and some from the secondary level may have learned about AMU and AMR or may have read about the same. A study done in Sudan had similar findings that attributed the lack of knowledge to the low level of education of the participants [55]. A similar correlation was found in Ethiopia where farmers who had low education had significantly low knowledge scores on AMR [5]. Furthermore, in this current study, other factors such as poultry farming experience and age did not have a significant relationship with the knowledge levels. This entails that from the sampled population, regardless of their experience in poultry farming, the majority had very low knowledge regarding AMR. Conversely, a study done in Ethiopia earlier reported that older farmers had more knowledge of AMR and this was attributed to more years of hands-on experience as compared to the younger age groups [5]. However, the reason for this difference could not be established with certainty due to a lack of supporting evidence.

According to this current study, most participants had negative attitudes towards AMU and AMR. Most of the participants in our study did not know that AMR is a global public health problem that should be prevented and did not know that poultry farmers play a critical role in its development. This corroborates findings from other studies where the majority of farmers had a negative attitude towards AMR [51] [56] [57] [58]. This poor attitude towards AMR could be attributed to low knowledge levels among these farmers, as shown in this study and similar studies. Our study further revealed a significant relationship between the knowledge levels and the attitude of poultry farmers towards AMU and AMR. Participants with high knowledge scores generally had positive attitudes. This is similar to a study that was done in Bangladesh, which showed that the level of farmers’ knowledge influenced the attitude of the poultry farmers towards AMU and AMR [56]. This suggests that the participants’ knowledge directly affects the poultry farmers’ attitudes, ultimately affecting the usage of antimicrobials and related practices. It is therefore prudent that educational programs are put in place to train these farmers on AMU and AMR. With improved knowledge, most of these farmers would be cautious in their usage of antimicrobials and contribute to a reduction in AMR.

Overall, our study revealed that most participants had poor practices regarding AMU and AMR similar to findings from a study in Cambodia [58]. Further, 83% of the participants in our study reported that they administered antimicrobials to their chickens for treatment (93.2%), prevention (89.8%), and growth promotion (19.3%). The high use of antimicrobials in poultry was also reported in Nigeria [59]. In a study done in Vietnam, 84% of poultry farmers reported using antimicrobials for prophylactic rather than therapeutic purposes [60]. Similarly, high use (83.3%) of antimicrobials in poultry was reported in Grenada [61]. In Bangladesh, some poultry farmers also use antimicrobials for disease prevention and growth promotion [62]. Using antimicrobials to prevent diseases could contribute to the worsening of AMR. AMR can develop due to antibiotic selective pressure, where bacteria undergo specific genetic changes that enable the bacteria to survive in the presence of antimicrobials [63].

Our study found that most poultry farmers accessed antimicrobials from agrovets (87.8%), while few (10%) bought from a pharmacy. Only a few (23.1%) participants consulted a veterinarian while the majority depended on the manufacturer’s instructions (46.3%). This is similar to a study in Bangladesh that revealed that most poultry farmers obtained antimicrobials from feed sellers and the majority did not consult veterinarians [56]. In Nigeria, poultry farmers did not consult veterinarians on the type of drug and dosages due to economic reasons [64]. In Fiji, the poultry farmers did not consult veterinarians concerning AMU in poultry because they were dissatisfied with previous services that were offered by veterinary officers from the government [39].

The most commonly used antimicrobials from this current study were tetracycline (86.4%), followed by gentamicin (35.2%). This is in line with recent studies in Zambia which showed that tetracycline and gentamicin/doxycycline were highly dispensed in community pharmacies and used in poultry farms [52] [65]. Similarly, these findings are consistent with a study that was done in Bangladesh which reported tetracycline as one of the most commonly used antimicrobials by poultry farmers [56]. A study done in Ethiopia also found that tetracycline was the most commonly used antibiotic by animal farmers on their livestock including chickens, followed by ciprofloxacin, ampicillin and gentamycin [5]. Similarly, a study that was done in Nigeria also found tetracycline and gentamicin as the commonly used antimicrobials among poultry farmers and this was attributed to the drugs being readily available and cheap [64]. The overuse of tetracyclines in the veterinary sector increases the risk of AMR according to findings from Tanzania [66] and Iran [67]. Further reports have indicated that the overuse of tetracyclines in poultry has contributed to the resistance of microbes to these antimicrobials [68] [69] [70]. Conversely, the most used antibiotic in China was amoxicillin [71] and Thailand [72]. The above findings show variability in the usage of antimicrobials in poultry. There is a need for poultry farmers to consult veterinary professionals on poultry diseases and AMU.

The findings of this study provide an idea of the information on AMU and AMR among poultry farmers in Kitwe. However, since it was conducted in one township, the findings cannot be generalized to the rest of the country. Besides, the nature of cross-sectional studies cannot predict the outcomes of a survey or any possible interventions.

This study revealed that there was high antibiotic use in poultry among farmers of Chimwemwe township for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, with tetracycline being the most used drug. Consequently, there was low knowledge, negative attitude, and poor practices concerning AMU and AMR among most poultry farmers. There is a need to set up antimicrobial stewardship programmes, and antimicrobial surveillance systems and sensitise farmers to curb this fast-growing problem. This may ensure food safety and public health.

We are grateful to all the poultry farmers that participated in the study.

Ethical approval was granted by the Tropical Diseases Research Centre (TDRC) with an approval number of TRC/C4/10/2021. Further approval was obtained from the National Health Research Authority with an approval number of NHRA0000007/20/2021. Participation in the study was voluntary after providing informed consent.

All authors declare no conflict of interest.

Chilawa, S., Mudenda, S., Daka, V., Chileshe, M., Matafwali, S., Chabalenge, B., Mpundu, P., Mufwambi, W., Mohamed, S. and Mfune, R.L. (2023) Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Poultry Farmers on Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Kitwe, Zambia: Implications on Antimicrobial Stewardship. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 13, 60-81. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojas.2023.131005

Sociodemographic characteristics of participants:

1) What is your gender?

a) Male b) female

2) What is your age (years)?

a) <20 b) 21 - 35 c) 36 - 40 d) >41

3) What is your level of education?

a) Primary level b) Secondary level c) Tertiary level

4) What is your primary occupation?

a) Small scale poultry farmer b) Business man/woman c) Employed

d) Other (specify)……………………………………………………………...

5) How long have you been rearing chicken

a) <5 years b) 5 - 10 years c) >10 years

6) What type of chicken do you keep?

a) Broilers b) layers c) village chicken d) mixture

7) How many chickens do you currently have?

a) <50 b) 51 - 100 c) 101 - 300 d) >300

Knowledge questions:

8) Do you know what antimicrobials (antibiotics) are?

a) Yes b) No

9) If yes in question (11) above, what is the use of antibiotics?

a) To treat any kind of disease

b) To treat specific kinds of diseases caused by bacterial infection

c) To promote growth

d) I don’t know

10) Do you think antimicrobials have unwanted effects if misused or overused?

a) Yes b) No c) I don’t know

11) Do you think bacteria can become resistant to antimicrobials?

a) Yes b) No c) I don’t know

12) Is it possible for bacteria and other pathogens to be passed from chicken to human beings when they consume chicken products containing them?

a) Yes b) No c) I don’t know

13) Do you think antimicrobials are used to treat infection in human beings?

a) Yes b) No c) I don’t know

14) Do you know what antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is?

a) Yes b) No

15) If yes in question (17) above, do you know how it comes about?

a) Yes b) No

16) If yes in question (17) above, how did you know about it?

a) Community sensitization b) Radio/Tv program c) Other (specify)……..

Attitude questions:

17) Do you think AMR is a problem that should be prevented?

a) Yes b) No c) I don’t know

18) If yes in question (20) above, do you take any precautions against the development of AMR?

a) Yes b) No

19) If yes in question (21) above, what measures do you take? If any, specify………………………………………………………………………………

20) Do you think it is important to get consultations from a veterinarian whenever the chickens are sick and before giving medication?

a) Yes, it’s important

b) No, it’s not important

c) I don’t know

21) Do you think poultry farmers have a key role to play in the development of AMR in chickens?

a) Yes b) No c) I don’t know

Antimicrobial usage/practices questions:

22) Do you administer antimicrobials to your chicken?

a) Yes b) No

23) If yes in question (25) above, why do use the antimicrobials?

To treat disease To prevent disease Growth promotion Any other (specify)…………………………….

24) Do you get consultations on the type of drug and dosages before administering it to the chicken?

a) Yes b) No

25) If yes in (27), state your source of consultation.

A veterinarian Friends Follow manufacturer’s instructions

Other (specify)……………………………………………………….

26) Where do you usually buy the antimicrobials used on the chickens?

a) A veterinarian b) An agrovet shop c) Pharmacy

d) Other (specify)…………………….

27) Mention the common antibiotics used: ……………………………………

Thank you for your participation