Socio-Cultural Characteristics and Drug Use Habit of Poultry Farmersin Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

Poultry keeping has been one of the most popular enterprises adopted by small and medium farmers in Nigeria. This study focused on the socio-cultural characteristics and drug use habits of poultry farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria which was conducted in 14 local government areas of the state. Primary data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaires distributed to 70 poultry farmers of which 59 were returned. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as means, frequencies and percentages. The results showed that farmers were mostly located in Uruan (23.7%), Uyo (23.7%), and Ibesikpo (15.25%). About 50.84% of the farmers were females of 20-30 years of age groups. About 29(49.15%) age bracket of respondents suggest that young people were more into poultry farming in the study area with 45.76% having secondary education and 40.67% having tertiary education. Also from the findings, 17.15% of the farmers used antibiotics, 16.27% used vitamins and 15.98% used vaccines and coccidial drugs. 70.68% of the farmers have used human drugs frequently in animal production. The study concluded that abuse and indiscriminate use of antibiotics and human drugs by farmers could be as a result of its availability and accessibility and also farmers’ non-challant attitude. As such, there is need for effective education, training and awareness on the use of veterinary drugs and on the dangers of antibiotic resistance in poultry production in Nigeria to be provided to poultry farmers.