Antimicrobial stewardship in poultry farms: Farmers' knowledge, awareness, and practices in Sri Lanka from a One Health perspective.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance in poultry farms is a health risk to both animals and humans. Therefore, understanding the patterns of antibiotic use in poultry production is crucial. This study aimed to assess knowledge, awareness, and practices in antibiotic use among poultry farmers in selected areas in the Northwestern Province, in Sri Lanka, which hosts the highest density of poultry farms in the country. A cross-sectional study was conducted, gaining 139 responses via an interviewer-administered questionnaire-based survey. The study revealed a lack of veterinary oversight in antimicrobial dispensing and use in poultry farms. To determine the antimicrobial dosage, the majority of farmers followed the label recommendation (68%) or their own experience (32%) while only 9% followed the veterinarians' recommendations. Further, if treatment failed, 46% of respondents reported seeking advice from a registered veterinarian, while 28% changed the antibiotic based on their own experience. Poor adherence to antibiotic withdrawal periods was noted, where 53% reported that they do not stop antimicrobials before selling chicken or eggs. Overall, the study identified systemic barriers (regulation, cost, and knowledge gaps) as the main factors for poor antimicrobial stewardship in Sri Lanka. This highlights the urgent need to enhance farmer awareness and implement education programmes to mitigate public health risks associated with antibiotic residues and antimicrobial resistance.