Cross-sectional study of antimicrobial use on integrated commercial fish-chicken farming in Southwest Nigeria: the link with on-farm biosecurity, farmers’ knowledge, and attitudes

Integrated Commercial Fish-Chicken (ICFC) farming is an emerging livestock production system, but information on biosecurity and antimicrobial use (AMU) is scarce in Nigeria. This study aimed to evaluate on-farm biosecurity, farmers’ knowledge, practices, and attitudes regarding AMU in ICFC farms in Southwest Nigeria. For the cross-sectional survey, semi-structured interviewer questionnaires were administered among ICFC farmers from May to September 2023. A total of 48 volunteers participated in the study. Data was analysed with both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Most farmers were male (60.4%), with a mean age of 38.6 years (± 14.2). Chronic Respiratory Disease and Fin Rot were the most commonly reported diseases in chickens and fish, respectively. Farmers used various classes of antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, macrolides, penicillins, polymyxins, nitrofurans, sulphonamides, lincosamides, and cephalosporins. Several of these antibiotics are classified as ‘highest priority critically important antimicrobials’ for humans by the World Health Organisation (WHO), while a few were categorised as ‘watch’ and ‘reserve’ under the WHO-AWaRE classification. Only 26 farmers (54.1%) had established on-farm biosecurity protocols at the time of visit. The overall biosecurity score was 64.7% (± 15.7), with over half of the participants (25, or 52.1%) exhibiting poor levels of biosecurity. The mean knowledge score regarding AMU was 71.7% (± 14.3), and the median attitude score was 76.1% (with a minimum of 6.3% and a maximum of 91.7%). About 58.3% of the farmers demonstrated good knowledge, while 50.0% had positive attitudes toward AMU. Farmers’ knowledge (r = 0.3, p = 0.04) and attitudes (r = 0.3, p = 0.03) showed a positive correlation with AMU. Biosecurity also had a positive correlation with AMU but was marginally significant (r = 0.3, p = 0.06). There was a strong correlation between farmers’ knowledge and their attitudes to AMU (r = 0.7, p < 0.0001). The research establishes a foundation for targeted interventions, such as context-specific educational initiatives on antimicrobial stewardship, and behavioral and practice modifications regarding appropriate antibiotic use. The data generated from this study could guide the development of evidence-based and targeted policies, programmes, and other interventions aimed at advancing alternative options to antibiotics and reducing indiscriminate AMU.