Sociocultural and Prescription Characteristics of Animal Health Workers in AkwaIbom State
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.6598Keywords:
Animal health, chronic respiratory disease (CRD), vaccines, antibiotic resistanceAbstract
The socio-cultural and drug prescription characteristics of Animal Health Workers in AkwaIbom State were examined in 14 local government areas, with the aid of 50 structured questionnaires distributed to animal health practitioners of which (27) were returned. The results revealed that animal health practices were mostly seen in Uyo (44.4%) and Abak (33.3%) of which 70.37% were male and 29.62% were female. Among them, the 20- 30years age groups were more (44.4%), with 70.37% having tertiary education and 29.62% having secondary education (veterinary 33.33%, animal health 27.77% and animal science 27.77%). The animal health workers stocked mostly antibiotics drugs (14.28%) followed by coccidial drugs (13.75%), vaccines (13.22%) and vitamin supplements (13.22%). The result also revealed that 66.66% of the animal health workers have been in existence for 1-10years, while 11- above 20years in existence were only 32.51% and that all the animal health workers prescribed drugs to farmers. Again, 67.74% of the animal health workers sourced drugs from pharmaceutical company agents with tylodox (10.41%) as the most commonly prescribed drug, while 40.74% had use human drugs to treat poultry and 85.18% favour the use of drugs both in water and feed. Also, 27(100%) had full knowledge of antibiotic resistance with 19.44% of the incidence being experienced with Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD). The result also showed that abuse of antibiotic administration (12.00%) was the major cause of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, effective education and training on the dangers of wrong prescription and antibiotic resistance in poultry production in Nigeria should be provided to animal health practitioners.