Assessment of Antimicrobial Usage and Antimicrobial Residues in Broiler Chickens in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania

Presence of antimicrobial residues in broiler meat was determined in a cross-sectional study conducted in Morogoro, Tanzania between January and February, 2007. Twenty smallholder broiler chicken farmers were interviewed on the types of antimicrobials used and their awareness on withdrawal period. In addition, 70 broiler chicken liver samples were collected for qualitative antimicrobial residues analysis by use of two parallel tests; agar well diffusion and Delvotest SP assay. Ninety percent of the respondents frequently used tetracycline, amprolium, sulphonamides, trimethoprim, neomycine and flumequine to their chickens. Ninety percent of the respondents had knowledge on antimicrobial withdrawal period. However, 95% of farmers slaughtered their chicken before withdrawal period because were afraid of losses and were unaware of the effects of antimicrobial residues in humans. Laboratory results indicated that 70% (n = 14) of the farms were positive to antimicrobial residues. This shows a widespread misuse of antimicrobials by poultry farmers and reflecting lack of implementation of withdrawal times. It is stressed that stricter regulation for the use of antimicrobials in chicken and inspection of chicken for residues prior to marketing. However, poultry farmers need to be educated on the possible effects associated with use of food with antimicrobial residues.