Antimicrobial use in the poultry industry in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania and public health implications

A structured questionnaire was administered to Dar es Salaam poultry farmers and pharmaceutical outlets/shops to obtain information on antibiotic usage, awareness of withdrawal periods and public health concerns on drug residues. Of 100 layer’s chicken production farmers interviewed in this study, 54% were females and 46% males. The average flock size was 560. All interviewed participants apply antibiotics through oral route of drug administration. Of these participants, 93% treat their chicken in accordance with directives from veterinary drug vendors, 4% follow the manufacturer’s instructions and 3% depends on their own experience. The survey found that most frequently used antibiotic drugs belong to the group of tetracycline and sulfonamides. Furthermore, some prohibited antimicrobial agents like furazolidone were found in some veterinary drug stores and poultry farms. All interviewed poultry farmers were aware of drug withdrawal period but none of them declared to observe this requirement because they fear investment losses. It was concluded that there is high risk of exposure to unacceptable levels of drug residues from poultry products, as a result of failure to observe antibiotic withdrawal periods. Consulted efforts involving various stake holders such the producers of poultry products, consumers and regulatory authorities are needed to bring awareness on public health implications associated with drug residues in foods.