Antibiotics in animal agriculture on antimicrobia resistance a case study in the Upper East Region and Western Region of Ghana

Abstract

The study was conducted to obtain information about the use of antibiotics on antimicrobial resistance in the Western and Upper East Regions of Ghana. The sampling technique used for the research was multi-stage sampling in all the study areas in the two regions. A total number of one hundred and fifty (150) animal farmers were sampled from the regions for the research. These farmers came from various Districts and municipalities from the regions. A structured questionnaire was designed and used to collect the data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics was used to analysed the data. Statistical Package for Social Scientists [SPSS] and Microsoft Excel (14.0.4734.100.2021) were used. The results indicated that all farmers used antibiotics to raise their animals. From both regions, the most abundant used antibiotic is penicillin and egg formula which represent 37% and 26% respectively from the Western Region. While in the Upper East Region, penicillin and egg formula also recorded 22% and 15% respectively. The farmers from the two regions believed that penicillin is more effective than the other antibiotics. It is undeniable fact that farmers lamented on the ineffective ability of some of the antibiotics. The farmers claimed that the use of some of the antibiotics do not meet the purpose for which they are used. 48% and 23% from Western and Upper East Regions respectively use antibiotics purposely for the treatment of diseases. With respect to where these antibiotics are purchased, 95 respondents from the Western region usually purchased them (antibiotics) from the veterinary stores against 5 respondents who also purchased from drug stores. From the Upper East Region, 39 University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh xi respondents acquire antibiotics from veterinary store against 11 respondents who purchased from drug stores. 68% farmers from Western Region determine the dosage of the antibiotics base on how they were previously used against 21% who determine the dosage on the label or the inscription on the container. In the Upper East Region, 30% of the farmers also determine the dosage base on previous used and 17% base on the label. Notwithstanding, bad animal management practices such as lack of footbaths, use of clothes for both house and in animal farm, using a pair of wellington boot for everywhere, no proper medical examination before administering drugs, the use of medication base on previous use are very critical on the health of the animals and consequently antimicrobial resistance in animal agriculture in both Western and Upper East Regions of Ghana. It is as a result of these findings that, recommendations such as laws on the sale and acquisition of antibiotics, adequate sensitization to broaden the minds of the farmers, training more veterinary staff etc need to be taken into serious consideration to curb the level at which antibiotics are used.