Table 2 Disease and infection control methods among farmers (N = 88)
Variables | n (%) |
|---|---|
Top 5 diseases | |
 Escherichia coli infection | 65 (73.9) |
 Avian influenzaa | 60 (68.2) |
 Avian infectious laryngotracheitisa | 41 (46.6) |
 Newcastle diseasea | 37 (42.0) |
 Pullorum disease | 36 (40.9) |
Use of vaccination | |
 Compulsory (>  1 type) | 79 (89.8) |
 Optional (>  2 types) | 79 (89.8) |
 Use of traditional Chinese medicine | 77 (87.5) |
 Use of antibiotics | 86 (97.7) |
 Use of antibiotics during withdrawal periods | 13 (14.8) |
 Use of antibiotics on the prohibited list | 66 (75.0) |
Primary purpose of antibiotic use | |
 Prevention | 43 (48.9) |
 Treatment | 22 (25.0) |
 Both prevention and treatment | 22 (25.0) |
 Growth promotion | 1 (1.1) |
Frequency of antibiotic use | |
 Occasionally | 54 (61.4) |
 Regularly | 34 (38.6) |
Common route of antibiotic administration | |
 Mixed with food and/or water | 86 (97.7) |
 Injection or forced feeding | 9 (10.2) |
 Kept a record of antibiotic use | 33 (37.5) |
 Able to purchase antibiotics without a prescription | 52 (59.1) |
Sources of drugs | |
 Veterinary drug store | 71 (80.7) |
 Pharmacy store/Online/Feed factory | 16 (18.2) |