Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date (Issue Year)
2025
Journal Name
African Journal of Microbiology Research
Abstract
Intensive production systems face challenges in treating individual chickens due to the large number of animals, resulting in the indiscriminate use of antibiotics as the only alternative. The use of antibiotics in poultry production has adverse effects on humans, as prolonged consumption of contaminated meat can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance in intestinal bacteria. A cross-sectional survey involving 395 smallholder farmers was conducted through face-to-face interviews to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antibiotic use in urban and peri-urban areas of Southern Mozambique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. The findings revealed that 60% of respondents were female, 28.6% had received training on antibiotic use, and 73.2% identified poultry production as their primary source of income. Approximately 72.2% were unaware of antimicrobial resistance, while oxytetracycline (22.8%) was the most commonly used antibiotic on farms. In cases of disease, 96.99% of farmers self-administered antibiotics, and 30.9% reported consuming meat from chickens that had died during or after antibiotic treatment. Chi-square and regression analyses (p=0.000) revealed significant associations, indicating that training positively influenced knowledge regarding the appropriate use of antibiotics. Education level also influenced antibiotic use (p=0.000); farmers with higher education levels were more likely to believe that medicinal plants could serve as alternatives to antibiotics. This study revealed that antibiotic use contributes to the contamination of broiler chickens with antibiotic residues and promotes antimicrobial resistance, primarily due to inadequate knowledge, attitudes, and practices resulting from insufficient training in antibiotic application. To reduce, prevent, and eliminate the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and the spread of antimicrobial resistance, it is essential for the government to educate, train, and monitor veterinary professionals
Keywords
Smallholder chicken farmers, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance.
Rsif Scholar Name
Noemia Andre Mugabe
Thematic Area
Food security and Agribusiness
Africa Host University (AHU)
Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania
Recommended Citation
Mugabe, N. A., Kussaga, J., & Issa-Zacharia, A. (2025). Antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among smallholder chicken farmers in Southern Mozambique. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 19 (11), 270-290. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJMR2025.9828