KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES (KAP) ON ANTIMICROBIAL USE AND RESISTANCE AMONG POULTRY FARMERS IN SOUTHERN SENEGAL

Abstract

This paper assesses knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards antimicrobial use and antibiotic resistance (AMR) among135 poultry farmers in the urban and peri-urban areas of Ziguinchor, Senegal, to assess their antimicrobial use practices and their knowledge and attitudes towards antibiotic resistance (AMR). Exploratory and multivariate logistic regression models were used to describe the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and practices of antibiotic use and the AMR and demographic characteristics of poultry farmers. Key findings reveal that 67% of poultry farmers employed inappropriate antibiotic use, including increasing doses, treating both healthy and sick birds, and administering antibiotics on the eve of slaughter.In addition,poultry farmers under 20 years old (p=0.033), with university education (p=0.078), trained in poultry farming (p=0.084), and with a flock of over 300 chickens (p=0.07), were more likely to be familiar with AMR. Additionally, poultry farmers under 20 years old (p = 0.06) and those who had reached the university level (p = 0.035) were more likely to have a positive attitude toward antimicrobials. However, those with technical training in poultry farming (p = 0.072) and those with a flock of over 300 (p = 0.06) were less likely to adopt a positive attitude toward santimicrobials. The study recommends strengthening awareness campaigns, promoting best practices in antimicrobial use, and improving biosecurity measures to reduce misuse and mitigate the risk of antibiotic resistance.