Assessment of Knowledge, Practices, and Attitude among Poultry Sellers on Antimicrobial Use in Mjini Magharibi Region, Zanzibar

Introduction: The use of antimicrobials in animal production, particularly for disease prevention, poses health risks due to potential residues in animal products and the development of antimicrobial resistance. In Zanzibar, where agriculture contributes significantly to the GDP, poultry is a predominant livestock industry, but faces challenges in meeting local market demand. Poultry production deficits are addressed largely through the importation of poultry meat from abroad, highlighting the importance of addressing antimicrobial use and residues in the poultry supply chain to safeguard public health and food safety. Method: A cross-sectional KAP study was conducted from January to December 2023 among 55 poultry sellers in Mjini Magharibi district in Zanzibar using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were captured and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS version 22 software. A 95% confidence interval with a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant for knowledge, attitude and practices. Results: Out of 55 poultry sellers, 49 (89.09%) were not knowledgeable on antimicrobial use and antimicrobial residues and practices, and 43 (78.18%) had considerable appropriate knowledge of AMU and AMR. Likewise, 34 (61.82%) sellers had a positive attitude towards the AMU and AMR. The correlation was good (r = 0.654) between knowledge-practices scores but weak (r = 0.077) between knowledge-attitude scores. Knowledge, attitude and practices were not significantly affected by the educational level of the respondents. Conclusion: In Zanzibar, the study reported poor knowledge of the poultry sellers related to the use of antimicrobials and resistance. Participants had low regard for the risk posed by antimicrobial resistance and, in general, poor practices, such as not following prescriptions and the observance of withdrawal periods. Targeted, urgent interventions need to be instituted including the provision of education on Antimicrobial Use (AMU) and the risk of Antimicrobial Residues (AMR), the need to observe the withdrawal period, poultry handling and waste management and environmental sanitation.