Prevalence and associated risk factors of bovine schistosomiasis in Dembecha district, North West Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study design using a cluster sampling method was employed to estimate the prevalence of bovine schistosomiasis, identify potential risk factors, and reveal the distribution of snails in moist environments in the Dembecha district of Ethiopia. Fecal examinations for parasitic eggs and visual observations of snail distributions were conducted in four kebeles (the lowest administrative unit in Ethiopia) within the study district. The study investigated potential risk factors such as age, sex, body condition, management system, and grazing area of cattle. The results indicated that the prevalence of schistosomiasis was 16.4% (63 out of 384), with significantly higher rates in cattle with poor body condition (p = 0.003). Wad and Yetsed kebeles exhibited relatively high snail infestations compared to Godber and Yemehal. In conclusion, schistosomiasis is prevalent in the Dembecha district, necessitating further research to identify the species of the parasite and its snail intermediate host.