Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism of cattle in East Showa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Central Ethiopia

This study was conducted from November 2011 to April 2012 in the East Showa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Central Ethiopia in four selected study area to investigate the prevalence, burden of helminths, and to asses associated risk factors. A total of 326 fecal samples were used for qualitative and quantitative coprological examination. The overall prevalence was 61% of gastrointestinal (GI) helminths and the prevalent helminthes eggs identified were Strongyle type egg (41%), Fasciola (36.5%), Paraphostomum (18.4%), Toxocara (7.7%), Trichuris (5.2%), and Monezia (2.8%). This result indicated the highest prevalence of Strongyle type eggs than other helminths egg and the lowest prevalence of Monezia egg. Out of 61% of infected animals 9.5% of prevalence was recorded in an animal having history of anthelmintic treatment while the rest 51.5% was recorded in the animal having no history of anthelmintic treatment. The 30.9% of animals were found to be infected with more than one helminths parasite. There was higher mean eggs per gram (EPG) in animals >7 years of age group, followed by animals <2 and 2 to 6 years age group. But no significant difference was observed among age groups except Trichuris (P = 0.006) that is high in animals <2 years of age and lower in animals 2 to 6 years of age. The occurrence of many GI helminths was found relatively higher in males than females. But there was no significant difference observed between sexes with exception of Trichuris that was higher in males. The mean burden of Strongyle and total EPG was found significant (P=0.00) among animals of different body condition. Finally, conclusions were drawn and recommendations were forwarded.