Investigating the factors influencing antibiotic use practices and their association with antimicrobial resistance awareness among poultry farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Background: The irrational use of antibiotics in poultry production has far-reaching consequences and continues to impact the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Africa. In Nigeria, antibiotics are available over-the-counter and are widely used in food animal production for various reasons, including prophylaxis and growth promotion. While this practice may support animal production, it also drives the spread of AMR, posing serious health challenges due to close human-livestock interactions and the country's high disease burden. This study examined poultry farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antibiotic use and AMR, aiming to highlight the public health risks and challenges in combating AMR in Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 200 poultry farms in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria, was conducted to evaluate farmers' KAP towards antibiotic usage and AMR. Using a validated, standardized, and self-administered questionnaire, data were collected from farmers responsible for key farm decisions, including input and feed management. The questionnaire comprised three sections: socio-demographic data, knowledge of AMR, and knowledge and practices regarding antibiotic use. Ethical approval was obtained, and participants gave oral consent based on their professional capacity. Results: The evaluation of poultry's farmers KAP regarding antibiotic usage and AMR revealed that the majority of farmers (90.5%) reported using antibiotics, primarily for treating infections (80.5%) or for feed enhancement, growth promotion, and prophylaxis (61%). Ampicillin (75%), ciprofloxacin (71.5%), and doxycycline (71%) were the most commonly administered antibiotics. Monthly administration was the most common (48%), and 89% of respondents believed that antibiotics promote poultry growth. Interestingly, a substantial proportion of respondents (65%) were unaware of AMR, highlighting a significant knowledge gap, with only 16% recognizing the risk of AMR infections. Conclusion: Our study revealed that the surveyed poultry farmers heavily rely on antibiotics, primarily for treating infections and, to a significant extent, for growth promotion, despite their limited awareness of AMR. Ampicillin was identified as the most commonly used antibiotic, raising concerns due to its potential link to beta-lactamase selection amid the country's carbapenem resistance issues. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted education to address the AMR knowledge gap and reduce the misuse of antibiotics in poultry farming settings in Nigeria.