Antibiotics utilization and farmers' knowledge of its effects on soil ecosystem in the coastal drylands of Ghana

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 15; no. 2; p. e0228777
• Main Authors: Phares, Christian Adler, Danquah, Andrews, Atiah, Kofi, Agyei, Frimpong Kwame, Michael, Osei-Tutu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 06-02-2020; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Agriculture; Analysis; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - adverse effects; Antibiotics; Arid zones; Bacteria; Biology and Life Sciences; Coastal zone; Coasts; Crop diseases; Data collection; Ecology and Environmental Sciences; Ecosystem; Ecosystem assessment; Ecosystem biology; Ecosystems; Education; Environmental impact; Farm income; Farmers; Farmers - statistics & numerical data; Farms; Food security; Food supply; Ghana; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Infections; Information processing; Knowledge; Livestock; Livestock farming; Manures; Marine ecosystems; Medicine and Health Sciences; Molecular biology; People and Places; Plant diseases; Poultry; Poultry farming; Poultry industry; Regression analysis; Soil - chemistry; Soil Microbiology; Soil sciences; Soils; Statistical analysis; Studies; Surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ghana
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228777

There is paucity of information on antibiotics utilization amongst farmers, factors associated with administration of antibiotics and farmers' knowledge of the effects of antibiotics on the soil ecosystem in Ghana.
A cross sectional quantitative survey across three coastal regions of Ghana was undertaken amongst poultry and livestock farmers. Six hundred respondents were selected from five districts each across the three regions. Pretested and structured questionnaire were used to collect data through face to face interview. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Factors associated with antibiotic administration were determined using binary multiple logistic regression at p ≤ 0.05.
Out of the 600 farmers, 95% administered antibiotics and 84% bought antibiotics over-the-counter without prescription. Approximately 9% of antibiotic administration was carried out by veterinary officers, and the remaining, 91% based on farmer's experience. Approximately 93% had access to antibiotics without any difficulty. Withdrawal period was always observed by only 16% of farmers. Majority (74%) of farmers never had education on antibiotics and none of the farmers screened manure for the antibiotic residuals. Years of farming, income status, level of education of farmers, type of animal kept, access to extension services, registration with farmers' association, employing veterinary services, location of farm, system of production, education on antibiotics and access to antibiotics positively and significantly predicted the administration of antibiotics by farmers. Majority of farmers had inadequate knowledge of the effects of antibiotics on soil ecosystem with mean score ranging between 2.87±0.60 and 2.98 ± 0.7 on a scale of 5.0.
The study exposed the poor practices regarding antibiotic use and also inadequate knowledge on its effect on the soil ecosystem amongst farmers in Ghana. This calls for development of strategies to increase awareness on antibiotics because its misuse can negatively impact human, animals, environment and impact food security.