Knowledge, attitude and practice of poultry farmers about the use of antibiotics

Abstract

Abstract : The commercialization of the poultry industry in Bangladesh began in 1980 and received momentum in 1990. Poultry rearing may play a vital role for economic development of the people. In the fiscal year 2007-08,1.04 million ton meat and 5653 million eggs have been produced in Bangladesh. But consumption of unsafe poultry products may pose a significant threat to consumers by the presence of pathogens, antibiotic residues, and chemicals.The study was conducted to understand the knowledge, attitude and practice of Bangladeshi poultry farmers concerning the use of antibiotics. An analytic descriptive study was conducted in 210 poultry farms of 21 different districts from 7 divisions by telephonic interviews to explore knowledge, attitude and practice of poultry farmers on antibiotic use in Poultry in Bangladesh. In the study 21% farmers believed that antibiotic could destroy only bacteria whereas 39.5% thought that antibiotic could destroy both bacteria & virus and 39.5% farmers did not have idea about antibiotics. Which 61.4% farmers believed that antibiotics had side effect and 27.1% had no knowledge about the side effect of antibiotics whereas 11.4% thought that it had no side effect. However, 94.3% farmers were desired to switch to an alternative, if they found its use safer and cheaper than antibiotics. This study showed that 11% farmers went to veterinarian, 34.8% medicine seller, 30.5% neighbor farmers, 13.8% themselves and 10% others for taking advice to administer medicine though 13.93% farmers could not differentiate antibiotics from others medicine and 79% farmers had not clear idea about antibiotic. Those who went to medicine seller and neighbor farmers for taking advice were using Corresponding address: ghaideT.bsmrau@gmail.com; Cell Phone:(+88)01712642948 191

Hasan, M.G Haider, M.R. Begum, M. A. Kalam, M.H. Faruquee and Rahman, S . ^ ^tibiotics, the figure were 42.2% and 38.2% respectively(p<0.001). This , 40/ LT* 8 °we<^ t^lat 69.9% new farmers were used antibiotic whereas only • o o d tarmers were used antibiotic frequently (p<0.001). However no farmer , Df°ti mamta^n period. For this reason,the effects on public health Bangladesh016111131 thrCat °f ** miSUSC of antibiotics ^ very much alarming in