An assessment on antibiotic usage in intensive poultry production in Wakiso district

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate an assessment on antibiotics usage in intensive poultry production in Wakiso district. The study was aimed at determining the most commonly used antibiotics, the effect of antibiotic usage and the level of knowledge that farmers have on antibiotic usage in Wakiso district. The study used a descriptive design in which both qualitative and quantitative research approach of data collection were used. The study used a sample size of 42 respondents where 40 respondents were engaged in closed ended interviews and 2 respondents were subjected to open ended interviews. The results on poultry production practices and antibiotic use in Wakiso district show that most of the respondents (52.5%) were using Tetracycline, followed by 27.5% were using Ampicillin and least portion 2.5% were using chloramphenicol. There was significant relationship between antibiotics buying and antibiotic consultation since P-value (0.000) is less than 5% level of significance. There exists significant relationship between antibiotics types and profits earned on poultry production since P-value (0.014) is less than 5% level of significance. The findings on knowledge, attitudes and practices on antibiotics use in Wakiso district revealed that majority of the respondents (42.5%) were using antibiotics when the vet prescribes or recommends it, followed by 32.5% were using antibiotics when friends or family recommend it and only 25% were using antibiotics when the see symptoms that they know can be treated with it. 65.0% of the respondents agreed that the treated the birds with antibiotics and they don’t respond them and only 35.0% disagreed with the statement. There is need by the government to provide some advanced training programs to the farmers in Wakiso district to boost their level of education and understanding of antibiotics use.