Evaluation of knowledge, attitude, and practices on antimicrobial use and resistance among commercial poultry farmers in Northern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Antimicrobials play a vital role in managing bacterial infections, but their careful and appropriate use is necessary to help mitigate the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR has already become a global threat to public health and economies, driving higher healthcare costs and reduced productivity. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mekelle city, northern Ethiopia, from March 2024 to January 2025 to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of commercial poultry farmers regarding antimicrobial use (AMU) and AMR using a structured questionnaire. A total of 233 poultry farmers were selected on the basis of their availability and willingness to participate. The data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2019 and exported into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 27 for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, including the chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression. Modified Bloom’s cut-off was used to classify the knowledge, attitude and practice levels of the respondents. Of the 233 commercial poultry farmers surveyed, 85/233 (36.5%) demonstrated good knowledge of AMU and AMR, according to the modified Bloom’s cut-off. Only 83/233 (35.6%) were aware of AMR. A positive attitude toward responsible AMU was observed in 120/233 (51.5%) of the respondents. Overall, 100/233 (42.9%) of the respondents showed good practices in AMU; however, suboptimal practices, including self-treatment (53/233; 22.7%) and incomplete adherence to withdrawal periods (120/233; 51.5%), were recorded. Diploma and above educational level, middle-aged group (29–39), having > 3 years of work experience and poultry farming as the primary occupation were among the strongest predictors of good knowledge, favourable attitude and good practices of AMU and AMR ( p  < 0.05). The study found that gaps in knowledge, attitude and antimicrobial practices persist among commercial poultry farmers. Targeted training programs focusing on less educated and less experienced farmers, strengthened veterinary supervision, and the enforcement of regulatory guidelines on AMU and withdrawal periods are essential to promote responsible AMU and mitigate AMR.