Knowledge, attitude and practices towards antibiotic usage among farmers rearing yaks, dzomo and hill cattle in the high-altitude regionsof Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The present cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of farmers of high altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh towards antibiotics and their usage. The survey was carried out using pre-validated questionnaires among 162 farmers (40 males and 122 females) engaged in animal husbandry practices particularly rearing yaks, dzomo and hill cattle from Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur regions of Himachal Pradesh. More than 75% of the respondents were aware of antibiotics, with females (83.6%) having more knowledge in comparison to males (52.5%). Using antibiotics in lactating animals may lead to, occurrence of antibiotics or their residues in milk, question was correctly answered by 110/162 (67.91%) respondents with significant difference with respect to educational levels. It was observed that 78.68% respondents adopted the best practice of not purchasing antibiotics without prescription. Overall, it was found that farmers’ perceptions of the use of antibiotics and their side effects are directly influenced by their education. Majority of the farmers were having significant knowledge regarding antibiotics, their usage and effects on consumers. They also had very positive attitude towards antibiotic usage but the practices were average in context of purchasing of antibiotics without prescription and consumption of milk from animals undergoing treatment. Therefore, education of farmers on food safety and antibiotic misuse becomes imperative for production of good quality animal origin foods.

Keywords

• Animal origin foods, Antibiotics, Health risks, High altitude regions, KAP, Yaks