Prevalence and Risk Factors of Bovine Tuberculosis in Cattle in Selected Districts of Fafan Pastoral Settings, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to August 2022, to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in selected districts of Fafan zone. The prevalence was 11.24% (95% CI, 8.61-14.35) and 43.3% (95% CI, 33.27-53.75) at individual and herd level respectively. There were statistically significant differences in proportions of positive reactor animals among body condition score (χ2 = 47.9, P = 0.000), Age (χ2 =6.0937, P=0.048), Seasonal migration (χ2=4.320, P=0.038), parity number (χ2 = 10.62, P = 0.005), reproductive status (χ2 = 4.36, P = 0.037). Animals with poor body condition scores had a significantly higher likelihood of testing positive, with their odds being 11.4 times greater (COR=11.408, CI=3.43-37.94, P<0.001). Conversely, a good body condition score was linked to a decreased risk of infection. In multivariate logistic regression poor body condition score remained significantly associated with the odds of reacting positive for tuberculosis (AOR=0.137, CI=0.053-0.356, P<0.001). Similarly, the analysis showed that seasonal migration (AOR=2.935, CI=1.152-7.481, P=0.024), and parity number (AOR=11.91, CI=1.828-77.62, P=0.010), were significant predictors of bovine tuberculosis infection in cattle. According to questionnaire, 14.2% (17 of 120) and 13.3% (16 of 120) of the respondents were knowledgeable about bovine tuberculosis and its transmission from animal to human and vice versa, respectively. The general judgment of herders' understanding of bovine tuberculosis transmission methods to humans was very low. Study findings show high prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in the study area, emphasizing the need for an effective control strategy.