Abstract

This study investigated the level of awareness and usage of anticoccidial drugs and vaccines by poultry farms in southwestern geopolitical zones of Nigeria, using Lagos, Oyo, and Ogun states. A researcher-made questionnaire was administered to the selected poultry farms, poultry attendants and veterinarians. With the deduction of an attrition value of 10% on questionnaire retrieval, data from 72 respondents out of 80 administered were used for statistical analysis. Information was obtained on the mode of administration, treatment programming strategy as well as the poultry farmers’ awareness and usage of the anticoccidial agents (drugs and vaccines). The result of the study shows that most of the poultry (69.6%) farms are aware of and used anticoccidial drugs like amprolium, clopidol, chlortetracycline and oxytetracycline. 77.8% are also aware of anticoccidial vaccines like paracox, livacox, coccivac and immucox with only 59.6 % of the farmers already using it. Adverse effects of anticoccidials were observed on very rare occasions.

Key words: Pharmacoepidemiology, anticoccidials, coccidiosis, poultry.