Health Management Practices, Antimicrobial Use and the Adoption of Alternatives Among Nigerian Fish Farmers: A Mixed‐Methods Study

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/m ² ) 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.