Aquaculture Africa 2023

November 13 - 16, 2023

Lusaka, Zambia

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES RELATING TO ANTIMICROBIAL USE (AMU): SHOULD TANZANIA BE CONCERNED ABOUT AMU IN FISH FARMING?

Kilusungu ZH*, Kimera ZI, Nandolo W, Mgaya F, Kunambi PP, Matee MI, Kassam D.

 

 Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Science, Africa Centre of Excellence in Aquaculture and Fisheries (AquaFish), Lilongwe University of Agricultu re and Natural Resources, P.O.BOX 219, Lilongwe, Malawi h.zainabu@yahoo.com

 



 Most of the farmers were males (71.7%), aged > 50 years (51.7%), and  (38.3%) were university graduates, with (80%) having no training in aquaculture, and 50% having no access to extension services.   The majority were aware of antibiotics (80%), and antimicrobial resistance (93%).   However, only 35% of the farmers had a positive attitude towards antimicrobial agents. Although none of the farmers indicated using antibiotics, we noted pond fertilization with manure in 38.3% of the farms. A total of 84 farmed fish were sampled and analysed for tetracycline and sulphonamide residues, of which 100% (n = 84) were positive for sulphonamide residues; 2.38% (n = 2) were positive for tetracycline and 2.38% (n = 2) contained both sulphonamide and tetracycline residues.  The concentration of the residues ranged from 0 to 6.95 µg/kg for tetracycline, and 12.68 to 133 µg/kg for sulphonamides, respectively. About 5.95 % (n=5) of the samples had sulphonamide residues above the MRL, while none of the samples had tetracycline residues above the MRL. All samples that were positive for tetracycline were within the acceptable daily intake ranges, while 28.47% (n = 24) samples had sulphonamide concentrations above the acceptable daily intake range. Fish farmers in  Dar es Salaam have significant gaps in KAP regarding antimicrobial use, and  there is a presence of antibiotic  residues in farmed fish, issues that need to be addressed.