ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Antibiot.
Sec. Enhanced Epidemiology and Preventive Strategies
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Poultry Farmers Regarding Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Chinsali District, Zambia
- CB
Chewe Bwalya 1,2
- AN
Anold Nkomesha 1,2
- KC
Kenon Chikosola 1,2
- JC
John Chongo 1,2
1. Copperbelt University, Kitwe, Zambia
2. Kapasa Makasa University, Chinsali, Zambia
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Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a major global public health challenge, largely driven by inappropriate antimicrobial use in animal production systems. Poultry farming is of particular concern due to frequent therapeutic and prophylactic antimicrobial use. Our study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of poultry farmers regarding antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance and identified socio-economic factors associated with the knowledge of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in Chinsali District, Zambia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 52 randomly selected poultry farmers using a structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices scores and antimicrobial use and resistance awareness patterns, while linear regression identified determinants of Knowledge scores. Data analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel 2021 and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27 (SPSS). Results indicate that the majority of farmers (78%) were aware of antibiotics and reported routine use, but antimicrobial resistance awareness was low (27%). Farmers had moderate knowledge (4), attitude (2), and practices (2) scores. Antimicrobials were mostly used for disease treatment (90%) and prevention (75%), with oxytetracycline (31%), doxycycline (23%), and gentamicin (22%) being the most frequently administered drugs, mainly delivered through drinking water (98%). Unsafe practices were common, including improper disposal of antimicrobials in pit latrines or toilets (62%) and retention of expired drugs for future use (24%). Linear regression analysis identified higher education level (B = 0.894, p < 0.001) as the only significant predictor of Knowledge score. These findings demonstrate gaps in antimicrobial stewardship among poultry farmers in Chinsali District and highlight the urgent need for targeted farmer education, strengthened veterinary extension services, improved regulation of antimicrobial access, and integration of antimicrobial awareness into poultry training programs to promote prudent antimicrobial use, protect public health, and ensure sustainable poultry production.
Summary
Keywords
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antimicrobial use (AMU), Chinsali District, knowledge attitudes practices (KAP), Poultry farmers
Received
26 January 2026
Accepted
01 June 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Bwalya, Nkomesha, Chikosola and Chongo. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Chewe Bwalya
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