Title : The impact of antibiotic growth promoters on broiler chicken and environmental health in Kibaha Town Council – Tanzania
Abstract:
Introduction: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Kibaha Town (Tanzania) to assess awareness and effects of using antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) on both broiler chicken and environmental health.
Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the effects of using antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) on both broiler chicken and environmental health, in the context of Safe food - and One Health Approach.
Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered through face to face interview to 40 broiler chicken keepers. Data were collected by a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Results: The analysis revealed that all respondents (n=40) had no diseased chickens in their houses and was attributed to AGPs use, broiler boost and / or hygienic practices. AGPs were provided to chicken by mixing with food (47.5%; n=19) or drinking water (52.5%; n=21) during the first week (45%; n=18), second week (25%; n=10), third week (12.5%; n=5) or done continuously disregarding the withdrawal period (17.5%; n=7). The respondents administered AGPs themselves (62.5%; n=25) while 37.5% (n=15) had neither considered dosage nor the number of broilers kept in their poultry houses. Only 42.5% (n=17) of respondents knew about the negative effects of using AGPs whereas 57.5% (n=23) had no knowledge at all. Of these respondents 67.5% (n=27) sold the litter to vegetable growers and fishponds owners as organic manure while 25% (n=10) randomly dumped it and only 7.5% (n=3) safely preserved it in shaded pits to avoid environmental contamination.
Conclusion: These results indicate that poultry wastes with AGPs’ residues are used as organic manure for agricultural fields and fishponds production hence, posing risks to human, animals and environmental health. These findings contribute to improvement of Animal Health and Education for Ecological Awareness.
Key words: food, broiler boost, contamination, hygienic, litter.
