Prevalence and Associated Risk Factor of Gastrointestinal Nematode Parasites of Small Ruminant in Humbo District, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of small ruminants gastrointestinal nematode parasites in Humbo town and surrounding districts , southern Ethiopia from November 2017 to April 2018 Gregorian calendar. Fecal samples were collected from 384 randomly selected animals (204 sheep and 180 goats) and examined for the presence of nematode eggs using 10x microscope. Identification of nematode parasites was done based on egg types (flotation technique) and morphology of parasite after larva culture (Baermann technique). Out of 384 study animals, 184 (47.92%) were found positive for nematode eggs of which, 105(51.47%) sheep and 79 (43.89%) goats harbored one or more gastrointestinal nematodes. Species, sex, age, body conditions and origin of the animals were identified as risk factors for the occurrence of nematode infections in small ruminants. But, statistically significant (p<0.05) difference in the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes were observed only in different age and body condition groups of study animals. But, the prevalence of the parasites were not varies between different origin, species and sex groups of animals (p>0.05). Coproscopic examination of eggs revealed that different types of nematode eggs were isolated from 184 small ruminates of which, Strongyle types (160), Strongyloide (20) and Trichuris (4). The most common genera of nematodes were Haemonchus (48) and Trychostrongylus (36) as single infection, whereas, in mixed infection, trychostrongylus and Bunostomum, and Trychostrongylus/Haemonchus genera were most common parasites. In conclusion, high prevalence of nematode parasites was observed in the study area, which implies nematode parasites are the major constraints which decrease the production and growth rate of sheep and goats. Therefore, strategic de-worming of small ruminant and checking drug resistance patterns of gastrointestinal nematodes should be implemented to overcome the adverse effect of the disease.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal nematodes; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Small ruminants; Species

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/13-1-02

Publication date: January 31^st 2023