Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Livestock Farmers on Antibiotic Use and Resistance in Patiya, Chattogram

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is becoming a major global public health concern. Nowadays, antibiotics are the most often recommended medications. Misuse of antibiotics may produce a favorable setting for antimicrobial resistance bacteria in animals, the environment, and the human population while rationale use of antibiotics can prevent the increase of antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study is to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices among the farmers in Patiya Upazilla of the Chattogram district of Bangladesh. This study was designed with a paper-based ascertained questionnaire having two options for each answer. About 85 farmers were interviewed for this study who came to Patiya Upazilla Veterinary Hospital (UVH) for treating their rearing animals. During the 48 working days at UVH, the data were voluntarily obtained from the farmers. Although 88.82% of farmers confirmed that they heard of “Antibiotics”, still their level of knowledge about antibiotic use and resistance was lower because of their low education. But despite of having poor knowledge, they had comparatively moderate attitude and practice regarding antibiotic use. Overuse of antibiotics is connected to the knowledge gap of antibiotics. Farmers with higher educational levels are associated with more rational attitudes. Activities promoting education and awareness should definitely be included and training program must be conducted in every sub-district to prevent overuse of antibiotics.