ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES ON ANTIMICROBIAL USE AND RESISTANCE AMONG COMMERCIAL POULTRY FARM OWNERS AND WORKERS IN SELECTED CITIES OF EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Antimicrobials are vital for disease control and productivity; however, their inappropriate use leads to antimicrobial resistance, a global threat to public health. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of poultry farm owners and workers towards antimicrobial use and resistance in three selected cities in Eastern Ethiopia, through structured interviews with a census of 106 poultry farms. Findings indicated that only 30.2% (95% CI: 22.1%-39.7%) had good knowledge, regarding antimicrobials (36.7%, OR=24.7, p<0.001), unawareness of residues (67.9%; OR=0.02, p<0.001), disease-specific drug (34.9%; OR=54.2, p=0.001), unfamiliarity with residue transmission (64.2%, OR=0.01, p<0.001), and difference in efficacy of antimicrobials (64.2%; OR=8.79, p=0.033). Attitudes were desirable in 48.1% (95% CI: 38.6%-57.7%), subjected to random antimicrobial use (64.4%, OR=3.94, p=0.026), missing doses (7.7%, OR=0.04, p = 0.013), using with feed (53.6%, OR=20.91, p<0.001), correct dosage (61.5%, OR=11.82, p=0.010), controlling access to antimicrobials (57.4%, OR=7.02, p=0.016), not obliged to finish before expiration (65.3%, OR=10.01, p=0.001), and minimizing antimicrobial use (75.9%, OR=15.37, p<0.001). Improved practices were noted only in 38.7% (95% CI: 29.8%-48.4%), with personal drug administration (90.9%, OR=11.8, p=0.010), non-professional recommendations (77.8%, OR=28.93, p=0.016), uninformed about its use as growth promoter (8.3%, OR=0.05, p=0.036), noting withdrawal times (87.5%, OR=30.9, p<0.001), adjusting dose when no recovery (95.6%, OR=13, p=0.002), not ceasing treatment even if symptoms go (64.5%, OR=30.9, p=0.007), and not switching antimicrobials (13.2%, OR=0.004, p=0.001). Pertaining to the associated factors for each, knowledge was found to be directly related with attitudes (r=0.3278, p=0.0006) and practices (r=0.4300, p<0.0001), and also attitudes with practices (r=0.2278, p=0.0189). In general, this study identified significant gaps in knowledge, attitudes and practices related to antimicrobial use and resistance among commercial poultry farm owners and workers in eastern Ethiopia, necessitating targeted interventions to enhance understanding and promote responsible antimicrobial use practices. Therefore, comprehensive education, veterinary guidance, mentorship programs, and robust antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems are necessary to address the gaps and curb the spread of resistance in the study areas and beyond