Abstract:
Introduction:
In Tanzania commercial Chicken are frequently raised in conditions where there is high level of stress, diseases and poor nutrition. To overcome some of these, farmers excessively use antimicrobials in treatment and control of diseases. This might results in antimicrobial residues in meat and eggs of chicken.
Objective
To assess awareness of poultry keepers on antimicrobial withdrawal periods in chicken and human health hazards associated with antimicrobial residues in Ilala Municipal.
Methodology
Using descriptive cross sectional survey design,a total of 269 small scale poultry keepers were interviewed with the aid of a structured questionnaire to obtain information on awareness on recommended antimicrobial withdrawal periods, awareness on human health hazards associated with antimicrobial residues, antimicrobial usage and sources of information on awareness of poultry keepers on recommended antimicrobial withdrawal periods in Ilala Municipal. A two level multistage sampling technique was used to obtain required number of participants. Data were analyzed by using SPSS statistical software.
Results
The study results shows that the commonly used antimicrobials were tetracycline 75%, tylosin 52%, enrofloxacin 49.4%, sulphadiazine 29.7%, norfloxacin 13% and duoxycycline 24.2%. Out of 269 small scale poultry keepers, 199 (74%) poultry keepers were not aware of the drug withdrawal periods. The proportion of small scale poultry keepers who were aware on antimicrobial withdrawal period was significantly higher at (p<0.001) among those with higher level of education. Also 79% of small scale poultry keepers were not aware of the health effects associated with consumption of eggs and meat that contains antimicrobial residues. Awareness on the health effects varied significantly (p=0.001) with education level, small scale poultry keepers who were aware of health effects were those with relatively higher level of education than those with low level of education.
Conclusion
The overall result of this study indicate that there is a wide spread misuse of antimicrobials by poultry keepers and this reflect lack of awareness and adherence to the recommended antimicrobial withdrawal periods in chicken production. This results to production of chicken meat and eggs which contains antimicrobial residues.
Recommendation
The findings obtained from the study raises a need for educational programme on the use and misuse of antimicrobials in chickens and the public health impact of antimicrobial residues in foods from animal origin to various stake holders such as producers of poultry products, consumers and drugs dealers.
It is also recommended to provide education on importance of recommended antimicrobial withdrawal periods to the poultry keepers so as to enable them to adhere to the recommended withdrawal periods which will consequently results to production of poultry product which are free from antimicrobial residues.
Keywords: Antimicrobial Withdrawal Periods, Antimicrobial residues, Poultry keepers and Chicken
