Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Small Ruminants in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia, with a Special Reference to Field Survey on Parasite Management and Risk Factor Analysis

Gastrointestinal nematodes are a major constraint for small ruminant production. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the districts of Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia on 415 small ruminants (248 sheep and 167 goats) selected using simple random sampling technique from this region to investigate the epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) and potential risk factors. Coprological examination using floatation, McMaster egg counting and larviculture were employed. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode was 68.92%. Different nematode types including strongyles (54.94%), Strongyloides papillosus. (2.65%) and Trichuris sp. (1.93%) were identified based on egg morphology with overall mean faecal egg count of 307.66 ± 38.02. Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum, Cooperia, Teladorsagia and Chabertia were identified from pooled culture. The study revealed female animals were 1.99 times (OR=1.99, 95%CI=1.16-3.41) more likely to be affected by GIN infection than males. Animals with poor (OR=2.92, 95%CI=1.32-6.45) and medium (OR=1.94, 95%CI=1.13-3.34) body condition were 2.92 and 1.94 times more likely to be affected by GINs than those with good body condition. Pregnant animals were 6.57 times (OR=6.57, 95%CI=1.49-28.89) more likely to have GINs than non-pregnant animals. Infection in young animals was 1.8 times higher (OR=1.8, 95%CI=1.05-4.2) than adults. Appropriate prevention and control methods have to be undertaken to overcome the existing problem and further study is needed to assess seasonal dynamics of the GINs.