Evaluation Of The Knowledge And Practices Of Farmers On Newcastle Disease (Nd) And The Prevalence Of Its Antibody In Poultry Farms In Aba And Umuahia Towns: -Iwuamadi, Favour T

ABSTRACT performed using ND antigen to determine i' body titres against ND virus. The antibody titres of farms in Aba and Umuahia were obtained females (34%) poultry farmers. 70% of the farmers had tertiary education whereas 30% had at least secondary education. 100% of the farmers vaccinate their chickens against the disease. Farmers who vaccinated at three weeks intervals had better protective rates than others. 30% incidence of NDV was reported at the time of this study. The study shows a concomitant and rapid reduction of the antibody titres with time, determined by checking the different titre levels from the last date of vaccination ofthe birds to the time of HI test, thus: Day 1 to 1 week 2-3 weeks 1 month over 1 month corresponding GMTs are 128.92 110.63 52.07 43.65). The local vaccines having a GMT of ' .J 55 appeared to elicit higher antibody stimulations than the foreign vaccines (GMT of 120.82). v .olJected in all. Haemagglutination Inhibition Test (HIT) was This study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and vaccination practices of farmers on Newcastle Disease (ND) and the prevalence ofits antibody in poultry farms in Aba and Umuahia towns, An prepared to determine these variables. The questionnaires open and close ended questionnaire was were administered to the farmers selected through a convenient random sampling method. Sera samples were correspondingly harvested from the chickens from these farms. A total of 189 sera samples were icometric mean titres of 166.33 and 100.31 respectively. There are more males (66%) than