Chicken Farming Practices and Occurrence of Antimicrobial Resistance in Four Regions of Cameroon

Background and Objective: Chicken farming in Cameroon has increased with population growth, this has increased the use of antimicrobial and a rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The aim of this study was to assess chicken farming practices and quantify antimicrobial us age. Materials and Methods: Across-sectional study was conducted in 120 chicken farms in four regions of Cameroon (Centre, Littoral, South and West). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Association between variables was tested using chi-square. Differences were considered significant at p<0.05. Results: Approximately 60% of farmers in the four regions, had no formal training on chicken farming. Thirty three different veterinary drugs containing active substances varying between one and two were used in the 120 farms. In center region the usage of veterinary drugs was the highest, with oxytetracycline as the most used active substance followed by sulfadimidine. In the littoral region the farmers mostly used levamisole (8), sulfadimidine (5) and oxytetracycline (5). In the west region, levamisole is used by 10 farms, sulfadimidine and oxytetracycline by 7 farms and doxycycline by 6 farms. Relatively higher usage of antimicrobial agents per chicken per unit time was observed in all the farms. Conclusion: High antimicrobial usage (AMU), including use of critically important antimicrobials was observed at poultry farms in selected regions. A monitoring system should be established to control the prudent use of antimicrobials. Rules and regulations for farmers should be implemented to reduce the AMU on priority basis.