ANTIBIOTIC PRACTICES AND RISK AWARENESS AMONG FISH FARMERS IN KANO METROPOLIS, KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed antibiotic practices, awareness, information access and risk knowledge among 170 fish
farmers in Kano Metropolis using standard methods. Socio-demographic analysis revealed a dominance of male
farmers (70%) within the 31–40 years age group (30%), with most having secondary (30%) or tertiary (25.7%)
education, and 40% possessing 1–5 years of farming experience. Patterns of antibiotic application showed that
water-based administration was most common (25.7%), while self-administration was the predominant mode
(35.7%). Awareness of antibiotic use was generally high, with 50% strongly agreeing they understood their role in
aquaculture, and 55.7% recognizing misuse as harmful to fish health. Information access was facilitated through
veterinarians (75.7%) and media platforms (71.4%), with 65–75% of respondents actively seeking and
supporting improved labeling. Knowledge and practices were mixed: 35.7% strongly agreed they used antibiotics
before veterinary consultation, while positive practices included stopping treatment once fish improved (14.3%).
Knowledge of antibiotic risks was high, with 81.4% acknowledging the transfer of antibiotic resistance to humans
and 80% recognizing environmental pollution. The findings highlight the need for targeted training and
regulation to improve safe antibiotic use and risk mitigation in aquaculture.