Awareness of Antimicrobial Resistance and Associated Factors among Layer Poultry Farmers in Zambia: Implications for Surveillance and Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs
Steward Mudenda,
Sydney Malama,
Musso Munyeme,
Bernard Mudenda Hang’ombe,
Geoffrey Mainda,
Otridah Kapona,
Moses Mukosha,
Kaunda Yamba,
Flavien Nsoni Bumbangi,
Ruth Lindizyani Mfune,
Victor Daka,
Darlington Mwenya,
Prudence Mpundu,
Godfrey Siluchali,
John Bwalya Muma
Affiliations
Steward Mudenda
Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 50110, Zambia
Sydney Malama
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Musso Munyeme
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Bernard Mudenda Hang’ombe
Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Geoffrey Mainda
Department of Veterinary Services, Central Veterinary Research Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Lusaka P.O. Box 50060, Zambia
Otridah Kapona
Zambia National Public Health, Institute Ministry of Health, Ndeke House, Haile Selassie Avenue, Lusaka P.O. Box 30205, Zambia
Moses Mukosha
Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 50110, Zambia
Kaunda Yamba
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Flavien Nsoni Bumbangi
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Ruth Lindizyani Mfune
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Victor Daka
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Darlington Mwenya
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Prudence Mpundu
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Godfrey Siluchali
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
John Bwalya Muma
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health problem affecting animal and human medicine. Poultry production is among the primary sources of income for many Zambians. However, the increased demand for poultry products has led to a subsequent increase in antimicrobial use. This study assessed the awareness of AMR and associated factors among layer poultry farmers in Zambia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 77 participants from September 2020 to April 2021. Data was analysed using Stata version 16.1. The overall awareness of AMR among the farmers was 47% (n = 36). The usage of antibiotics in layer poultry production was high at 86% (n = 66). Most antibiotics were accessed from agrovets (31%, n = 24) and pharmacies (21%, n = 16) without prescriptions. Commercial farmers were more likely to be aware of AMR compared to medium-scale farmers (OR = 14.07, 95% CI: 2.09–94.70), as were farmers who used prescriptions to access antibiotics compared to those who did not (OR = 99.66, 95% CI: 7.14–1391.65), and farmers who did not treat market-ready birds with antibiotics compared to those who did (OR = 41.92, 95% CI: 1.26–1396.36). The awareness of AMR among some layer farmers was low. Therefore, policies that promote the rational use of antibiotics need to be implemented together with heightened surveillance activities aimed at curbing AMR.
