Abstract:
The presence of Stapylococus aureus as a zoonotic pathogen in poultry farms in Nsukka and the ignorance of the farmers have become topical issues. There is indiscriminate use and poor practices in handling antimicrobials in farms which increase the danger and resistance of Stapylococcus. aureus in addition to its infection rate endanger farmer’s health. The purpose of the study was to assess staphylococcus aureus occurrence on selected poultry farms and antimicrobial stewardship for farmers’ health safety, six specific objectives and two null hypotheses guided the study. The study was conducted in Nsukka local government area of Enugu State Nigeria. The mixed method study specifically assessed the occurrence of staphylococcus aureus on poultry farms; farmer’s awareness as and antimicrobial stewardship measures practiced. Cloacae swab and hand wash samples were obtained from broilers and farmers respectively. The samples collected were screened for S. aureus using standard microbiology procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out using eight antibiotics, determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc agar diffusion (DAD) method according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Interview questionnaire was used to collect data on farmer’s awareness on occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus, the usage of antibiotics among poultry farmers, farmers awareness on the antimicrobial resistance in poultry farms and their awareness of antimicrobial stewardship. The data generated from the interview questionnaire was analysed using frequencies and percentages while occurrence and susceptibility of S. aureus isolates from broilers and farmers was analysed using percentages only. The research evidenced an occurrence of S. aureus in broilers and even higher occurrence among the farmers, while antibiotic susceptibility tests showed multidrug resistance of the isolates. The results further showed poor stewardship practices among poultry farmers as well as low level of farmer’s awareness on the occurrence of S. aureus in poultry farms and misconceptions about how it could be contracted. In conclusion the research evidenced an occurrence of staphylococcus aureus in broilers and even higher occurrence among their farmers which is a potential health risk to farmers in Nsukka. Low levels of awareness of the zoonotic pathogen and its mode of transmission is also a major issue which increases the risk factor of this pathogen Based on the findings, the study recommended that transmission of diseases should be prevented through proper awareness of the poultry farmers on the occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus in their farms, antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship as a safety measure for farmer’s health safety.
