title: A questionnaire survey of poultry layer farmers in Khartoum State, Sudan, to study their antimicrobial awareness and usage patterns.
abstract: An initial census of layer farms in Khartoum State, Sudan, was carried out in late 2007 and  early 2008 and found that there were 252 layer farms with a total population of 2 221 800  birds. This paper reports the findings of the census. Based on this information, a structured  questionnaire survey of 92 farms was then conducted in the state in April 2008 to collect data  on antibiotic usage, demographic data and public health awareness. Ninety-eight per cent of  participating farms comprised open-sided houses. It was found that 49% of the farms surveyed  were on antibiotic treatment when the survey was conducted, whilst 59% of the farms had used  antibiotics within the last 3 months. The study found that farmers and producers had a lack  of knowledge about antimicrobial residues, their withdrawal periods and the risk posed by  the consumption of these residues. The study also concluded that traditional farming systems  in Sudan relied heavily on antimicrobial medication to control disease and almost half of the  farms surveyed were treating their flocks with antimicrobials. In addition to this, there was  a lack of disease control programmes which probably resulted in a massive use of antibiotics  to control endemic diseases. This was further compounded by the absence of governmental  supervision and control on the use of drugs.
authors: Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria. bruce.gummow@jcu.edu.au.
authors: Mohamed M
authors: MM
authors: Sirdar
authors: Jackie
authors: J
authors: Picard
authors: Shahn
authors: S
authors: Bisschop
authors: Bruce
authors: B
authors: Gummow
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001364:Awareness; D002645:Chickens; D004350:Drug Residues / Q000009:adverse effects; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004531:Eggs / Q000032:analysis; D000067565:Farmers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013397:Sudan; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents