Health Management Practices, Antimicrobial Use and the Adoption of Alternatives Among Nigerian Fish Farmers: A Mixed-Methods Study.
10 affiliations
- 1Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine University of Ilorin Ilorin 240003 Nigeria unilorin.edu.ng.
- 2Department of Health Studies Royal Holloway University of London Egham TW20 0EX UK.
- 3Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry University of Ilorin Ilorin 240003 Nigeria unilorin.edu.ng.
- 4Department of Statistics University of Ilorin Ilorin 240003 Nigeria unilorin.edu.ng.
- 5Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries University of Ilorin Ilorin 240003 Nigeria unilorin.edu.ng.
- 6Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Wildlife University of Abuja Abuja Nigeria uniabuja.edu.ng.
- 7Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Ilorin Ilorin 240003 Nigeria unilorin.edu.ng.
- 8Department of Biological Sciences Summit University Offa Nigeria.
- 9Institut de Recerca i Tecnología Agroalimentaries (IRTA) Aquaculture Programme Torre Marimon Caldes de Montbui 08140 Catalonia Spain.
- 10Hygiene and Preventive Medicine Department Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Kafrelsheikh University Kafr El-sheikh Egypt kfs.edu.eg.
Abstract
This study assessed the associations between production practices and disease outbreaks on Nigerian fish farms while identifying factors that shaped farmers' choices between antimicrobials and non-antimicrobial health management interventions (NAHIs), including herbs and other commonly used interventions such as charcoal, formalin and salt. A mixed-methods approach was employed, comprising questionnaire surveys (n = 330) and focus group discussions. Results indicated that only 12% of farms stocked their fish at the recommended stocking density (7 fish/m²) or below. Most farms (66.1%) shared water sources with neighbouring farms. Regarding health management expenses, the majority of farms (62%) reported spending on medication during the last production cycle, while fewer farms reported spending on biosecurity (20%) and water quality testing (15.5%). Most farms (63.3%) had survival rates of > 75% during the last production cycle. Less than half (27%) reported experiencing a disease outbreak over the last year. Some associations between production practices and survival rates were identified in Fisher's exact test and Pearson's chi-square analyses, but none remained independently associated in the multivariate logistic regression model (p > 0.99). However, farmers who spent on biosecurity were less likely to have spent on medications than farmers who did not (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.14-0.56, p : 0.001). Findings from the focus groups indicated that antimicrobials, primarily antibiotics, were utilised in combating severe disease outbreaks. Antimicrobials were frequently misused, with self-prescribed medications administered before veterinary consultation or laboratory confirmation of disease aetiology. Some farmers reported reducing their antimicrobial usage after learning about antimicrobial resistance. Farmers also reported using a variety of NAHIs, primarily herbs, in health management. Antibiotics were considered more effective than NAHIs, with some farmers reporting adopting them for severe outbreaks. Adoption of NAHIs was influenced by farmers' awareness and cost-affordability, while uncertainty about correct dosage formulations prevented greater adoption. We recommend increasing awareness about preventive management and safe, regulated NAHIs for Nigerian fish farmers. Studies can also be embarked on to explore the efficacy potential of commonly used NAHIs. In addition, subsidised veterinary care could improve farmers' uptake of these services.
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BibTeX
@article{odetokun2026health,
title = {{Health Management Practices, Antimicrobial Use and the Adoption of Alternatives Among Nigerian Fish Farmers: A Mixed-Methods Study.}},
author = {Ismail Ayoade Odetokun and Jadesola Juliana Ajao and Afisu Basiru and Rodiat Olabisi Omotoso and Mutiat Adenike Adetona and Wasiu Adeyemi Jimoh and Somrat Adeola Abdulsalami and Abdulfatai Aremu and Mutiat Olaitan Mohammed and Samira Sarih and Enric Gisbert and Maria Dolores Furones Nozal and Elena Garcia Fruitós and Anna Aris and Silvia Torrecillas and Mahmoud Eltholth},
journal = {Veterinary medicine international},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1155/vmi/3100926},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42959560},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Health Management Practices, Antimicrobial Use and the Adoption of Alternatives Among Nigerian Fish Farmers: A Mixed-Methods Study.
AU - Ismail Ayoade Odetokun
AU - Jadesola Juliana Ajao
AU - Afisu Basiru
AU - Rodiat Olabisi Omotoso
AU - Mutiat Adenike Adetona
AU - Wasiu Adeyemi Jimoh
AU - Somrat Adeola Abdulsalami
AU - Abdulfatai Aremu
AU - Mutiat Olaitan Mohammed
AU - Samira Sarih
AU - Enric Gisbert
AU - Maria Dolores Furones Nozal
AU - Elena Garcia Fruitós
AU - Anna Aris
AU - Silvia Torrecillas
AU - Mahmoud Eltholth
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - Veterinary medicine international
DO - 10.1155/vmi/3100926
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42959560
AB - This study assessed the associations between production practices and disease outbreaks on Nigerian fish farms while identifying factors that shaped farmers' choices between antimicrobials and non-antimicrobial health management interventions (NAHIs), including herbs and other commonly used interventions such as charcoal, formalin and salt. A mixed-methods approach was employed, comprising questionnaire surveys (n = 330) and focus group discussions. Results indicated that only 12% of farms stocked their fish at the recommended stocking density (7 fish/m²) or below. Most farms (66.1%) shared water sources with neighbouring farms. Regarding health management expenses, the majority of farms (62%) reported spending on medication during the last production cycle, while fewer farms reported spending on biosecurity (20%) and water quality testing (15.5%). Most farms (63.3%) had survival rates of > 75% during the last production cycle. Less than half (27%) reported experiencing a disease outbreak over the last year. Some associations between production practices and survival rates were identified in Fisher's exact test and Pearson's chi-square analyses, but none remained independently associated in the multivariate logistic regression model (p > 0.99). However, farmers who spent on biosecurity were less likely to have spent on medications than farmers who did not (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.14-0.56, p : 0.001). Findings from the focus groups indicated that antimicrobials, primarily antibiotics, were utilised in combating severe disease outbreaks. Antimicrobials were frequently misused, with self-prescribed medications administered before veterinary consultation or laboratory confirmation of disease aetiology. Some farmers reported reducing their antimicrobial usage after learning about antimicrobial resistance. Farmers also reported using a variety of NAHIs, primarily herbs, in health management. Antibiotics were considered more effective than NAHIs, with some farmers reporting adopting them for severe outbreaks. Adoption of NAHIs was influenced by farmers' awareness and cost-affordability, while uncertainty about correct dosage formulations prevented greater adoption. We recommend increasing awareness about preventive management and safe, regulated NAHIs for Nigerian fish farmers. Studies can also be embarked on to explore the efficacy potential of commonly used NAHIs. In addition, subsidised veterinary care could improve farmers' uptake of these services.
SN - 2090-8113
SN - 2042-0048
ER -