Antimicrobial use, resistance awareness, and biosecurity practices among poultry and aquaculture farmers in Nigeria: a cross-sectional KAP survey

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a growing threat to food production systems. In Nigeria, poultry and aquaculture sectors face heightened vulnerability due to high disease burdens, frequent antimicrobial use, and variable biosecurity practices. This study assessed AMR-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among value-chain respondents across four Nigerian states. METHODS: A cross-sectional KAP survey was conducted in January 2025 among 183 respondents across Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Kano, and Kwara states using multi-stage sampling. Data were collected via structured face-to-face interviews and analysed using Chi-square tests, Spearman's correlation, and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Most respondents were aged 35-44 years (40.44%) with tertiary education having 80.33%. Disease incidence was high (84.15%), with bacterial infections most common (39.61%, n = 154). Antimicrobial use was high (92.90%), primarily for treatment (87.06% of users), with 22.35% self-prescribing. AMR awareness was reported by 71.58%, mainly from veterinary officers (87.02%) and social media (48.09%) among AMR-aware respondents (n = 131). Awareness was significantly associated with education level (χ²=57.16, df = 3, p < 0.001) and inversely correlated with use frequency (ρ=-0.279, p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression identified education as the strongest predictor; secondary-educated farmers were 98% less likely to be AMR-aware than tertiary-educated (OR = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.00-0.07, p < 0.001). Biosecurity awareness was high (72.68%) but training coverage was low (53.55%; χ²=13.46, df = 1, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Widespread antimicrobial use, moderate AMR awareness, and inconsistent biosecurity practices were identified. Education was the strongest predictor of AMR awareness, underscoring the need for non-formal AMR communication strategies. Feed millers, sellers, and allied value-chain actors should be incorporated into national AMR stewardship programmes.