Evaluating the Knowledge, Practice, and Regulatory Situation of Veterinary Experts Regarding Counterfeit Veterinary Medications in the Selected Districts of Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia

Background

The intentional and illegal misrepresentation of fake medications involves falsely indicating their source. These fraudulent medications can include products that contain either accurate or incorrect ingredients, lack proper labeling, have insufficient quantities of ingredients, and are packaged with counterfeit packaging. This unlawful activity has led to treatment failures, the development of antibiotic resistance, adverse effects, and even deaths. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, practice, and regulatory status of veterinary drug experts in the central Gondar zone of Ethiopia regarding counterfeit veterinary medications.

Methods

From January 2023 to July 2023, a self-administered structured questionnaire was utilized to conduct a cross-sectional study in Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. The analysis of the data involved the application of descriptive and chi-square tests.

Results

The study revealed that the majority of professionals possessed a work experience ranging from 5 to 9 years (23; 56.1%). Additionally, a total of 25 individuals (61.0%) who participated in the research had not undergone any kind of training. It was observed that a significant proportion of participants (82.9%) possessed knowledge about counterfeit veterinary drugs. Only about 63% and 36% of respondents had high knowledge and good practice concerning veterinary counterfeit drugs, respectively. Only 29.3% of participants have reported practices. Furthermore, a poor regulatory level of coordination was detected (85.4%). The study revealed a significant (χ2 =7.6165; p = 0.022) disparity between the respondents' practice levels and training. Respondents' regulatory levels were also significantly associated (p < 0.05) with their sex (χ2 = 13.34; p = 0.001) and work experience (χ2 = 13.64; p = 0.033). The research findings also revealed a noteworthy correlation between practice and regulatory activity (χ2 = 15.0463; p = 0.005).

Conclusion

The study outlines the necessity of awareness initiatives, with a focus on the significance of veterinary experts' knowledge, practice, and regulatory efforts in addressing the issue of counterfeit veterinary medications.

Effect of Vitamin Supplementation on Egg Production, Egg Quality, and Mortality of Sasso Chickens

Introduction

Ethiopia has a huge poultry population that plays a role in rural development. However, feed shortage is a major problem. Vitamin supplementation in feed formulation is crucial to improve the productivity of poultry. The objective of this study was to evaluate extra doses of vitamin supplements in quality egg production.

Methods

This experimental study was conducted on Sasso Ruby T chickens aged 22 weeks. The experimental and control groups each contained 60 hens. For the study group, extra doses of vitamins were added to the drinking water. Weekly observation was carried out for 3 months for a total of 12 observations. The effect of extra doses of vitamins on layers in terms of mortality, egg production, egg size, egg-specific gravity, and eggshell thickness was analyzed using SPSS 20 with t-tests.

Results

Significant changes were observed for mortality (P<0.05), with mean mortality of 0.25±0.45 and 0.66±0.65 and general mortality of 5% and 13% in the study and control groups, respectively. Average egg production per week in the study group (279.5±3.80) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the control group (256±4.81). However, no significant difference (P>0.05) was found for egg size between the groups: study group 59.99±0.92 g and control group 59.34±0.95 g. There was no significant variation (P>0.05) in average egg-specific gravity: study group 1.068±5.33×10⁻³ and control group 1.061±5.33×10⁻³. Average eggshell thickness was significantly greater (P<0.05) in the study group(0.36±0.048 mm) than the control group (0.32±0.04 mm).

Conclusion

We identified that extra vitamin supplements for layer chickens is very important to increase profitability in the poultry industry by decreasing mortality and increasing egg production.