Factors influencing the frequency, knowledge, attitudes and practices of antibiotic use in commercial layer chicken farms, Tanzania.

Introduction: Indiscriminate use of veterinary antibiotics significantly contributes to the current antibiotic resistance in the world. The primary objective of this study was to explore the factors that could influence knowledge, attitudes and practices of antibiotic use in commercial layer farms. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate antibiotic use patterns and their associated factors among layer chicken farmers in Tanzania. The study surveyed 205 farmers randomly selected from three regions: Unguja, Morogoro, and Dar es Salaam. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while negative binomial and multiple linear regression models were employed to identify factors influencing antibiotic usage patterns. Results: A widespread use of antibiotics was revealed, with 97.1% of farmers using antibiotics for treatment, prophylaxis and/or increasing egg productivity. The most commonly used antibiotics were oxytetracycline (63%), doxycline-tylosin combination (29.8%) and enrofloxacin (22.4%). Notably, 95.6% of farmers reported that they do not observe withdrawal periods. Assessment of farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices yielded mean scores of 55.5%, 69.1% and 50.9% respectively. Furthermore, older adults and individuals with primary education were more likely to have higher attitude scores. Geographic location and flock size are among other factors that are likely to influence knowledge and attitudes towards antibiotic use. Higher frequency of antibiotic use was significantly associated with young adults, medium-scale farm operators, and farmers in Morogoro region (compared to the other two regions). Conclusion: The frequency, knowledge, attitude and practices related to the use of antibiotics were affected by scale of production, location, age, and education. These findings provide insights into antibiotic stewardship among layer farmers that could suggest future multifaceted interventions to promote prudent use of antibiotics, hence mitigating risk of antibiotic resistance.