Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40211372›Full record

ArticleOne health outlook2025

Antibiotics governance in aquaculture: knowledge, practices, and challenges among stakeholders on the Volta Lake in Ghana.

Samuel O Dandi, Øystein Evensen, Samuel Addo, Emmanuel D Abarike, Seth M Abobi, Dzigbodi A Doke, Jan L Lyche, Stephen Mutoloki, Amii I Obiakara-Amaechi, Kofitsyo S Cudjoe and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in One health outlook, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Samuel O DandiDepartment of Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6151-8821
Øystein EvensenFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ålesund, Norway.
Samuel AddoDepartment of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Emmanuel D AbarikeDepartment of Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana. eabarike@uds.edu.gh.
Seth M AbobiDepartment of Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
Dzigbodi A DokeDepartment of Environment and Sustainability Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
Jan L LycheFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ålesund, Norway.
Stephen MutolokiFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ålesund, Norway.
Amii I Obiakara-AmaechiDepartment of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
Kofitsyo S CudjoeNorwegian Veterinary Institute, Ålesund, Norway.
Regina E EdziyieDepartment of Fisheries and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Funding

NORHED II (NMBU, Norway) project grant QZA-21/0182
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe use and misuse of antibiotics for treating animal and human infections are a key driver of the emergence of resistant bacterial strains at the human-animal-environment interface. This inappropriate use threatens ecological balance and poses a significant risk to human health. The lack of relevant knowledge of the right attitudes and practices regarding antimicrobial stewardship among fish farmers, antibiotic drug retailers, and government agencies has significantly exacerbated this serious environmental and public health issue. To enhance understanding and improve communication for the implementation of sound antimicrobial stewardship in the fish farming industry in Ghana, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of key stakeholders regarding the use of antibiotics in cage aquaculture on Volta Lake in Ghana.

methodWe conducted a qualitative field survey involving interviews, key informant discussions, and observations. The participants were veterinary drug retailers and government officials from the fisheries, aquaculture, and veterinary sectors to gather insights about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices on antibiotics use in aquaculture. The study covered 40 respondents, comprising 18 veterinary drug retailers, 12 general pharmaceutical shop operators, five Fisheries Commission officials, and five government-trained veterinary personnel operating along the stratum II of the Volta Lake of Ghana. All quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using STATA and thematic analysis.

resultsThe survey revealed that drug retailers possess limited knowledge, expertise, and education on the use of antibiotics in fish farming. It was found that drug sellers occasionally recommend treatment regimens to fish farmers based on observable symptoms associated with specific diseases. The results further revealed a lack of regulation in selling veterinary drugs to farmers. Government officials, on their part, strive to create awareness and educate farmers on the selection and appropriate use of antibiotics through routine quarterly inspections, thereby promoting best practices for cultivating healthy fish. Despite this, the results indicate insufficient coordination between government officials, drug retailers, and fish farmers regarding the usage of antibiotics in aquaculture on Lake Volta. DISCUSSION AND

conclusionRegular joint training programs are encouraged to improve and enhance knowledge, attitudes, and practices among government officials, veterinary drug retailers, and fish farmers. In addition, monitoring the activities of drug sellers and users, as well as fostering effective communication among all stakeholders, will significantly aid in reducing antibiotic use, misuse, and abuse in aquaculture. Under the One Health framework, efforts to integrate veterinary drug retailers, farmers, and other stakeholders of concern in antibiotic governance are required to address the increasing burden of antibiotic misuse and abuse in aquaculture in Ghana and the world.

Indexed as

AntibioticsCage aquacultureGhanaGovernment officialsVeterinary drug retailersVolta Lake

Identifiers

PMID40211372
PMCPMC11987464

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.