Damas Theobald Msaki

Kibaha Education Centre, Tanzania

Abstract Title: The Impact of Antibiotic Growth Promoters on Broiler Chicken, Environment and Human Health in Kibaha Town Council – Tanzania

Biography:

Damas Theobald Msaki works with the Kibaha Education Centre (Tanzania) as Animal and Crop Production Manager. He holds BSc. Animal Science (2000) and MSc. Tropical Animal Production degrees (2014), both being attained from Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania). He’s researched much on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), using a ‘One Health Approach’. He’s been the organizer and mentor of the International Training Programme (ITP310/3-4) “Healthy livestock, Safe food” hybrid workshops (2021-2023) to create AMR awareness. He’s also a member of the Research and Academia in the AMR Multi-Sectoral Partnership Platform (AMR MSPP) of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) representing his organization.

Research Interest:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Kibaha Town (Tanzania) to assess awareness using antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) on broiler chicken and environmental health among smallholder farmers and its effects on human health. This study aimed at investigating the effects of AGPs use on both broiler chicken and environmental health, in the context of Safe food and One Health Approach, since Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top public health priorities worldwide. A structured questionnaire was administered through face to face interview to 40 broiler chicken keepers, (males 18; females 22). Data were collected by a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The analysis revealed that all respondents (n=40), with a stock of 12,574 broiler chickens had no diseased animals, something attributed to AGPs use, broiler boost and / or hygienic practices. AGPs were mixed with food (47.5%; n=19) /or drinking water (52.5%; n=21) during the first week (45%; n=18), second week (25%; n=10), third week (12.5%; n=5) or continuously done while disregarding withdrawal period (17.5%; n=7). Only 42.5% (n=17) knew AGPS negative effects, 57.5% (n=23) had no knowledge at all. Litter used for vegetable and fish ponds production (n=27; 67.5%), randomly dumped (n=10, 25%) and safely preserved (n=3; 7.5%). Litter with AGPs residues are used as manure for vegetable and fish ponds production, posing risks to human, animals and environmental health. These findings contribute to improvement of Animal Health and Education for Ecological Awareness so as to combat AMR.