Prevalence and Risk Factors of Gastrointestinal Parasite Infection in Goats in Sironko District, Eastern Uganda

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) infections in goats in Sironko District. Randomly selected livestock farmers (28) were interviewed. Two hundred twenty (220) faecal and blood samples were analysed using laboratory techniques. The overall prevalence of GIP was 74.5 percent. Nematodes were the most prevalent (61.8%). The level of GIP infections were; Eimeria (37.7%), Haemonchus contortus (36.4%), Trichostrongylus (43.6%), Strongyloides (14.6%), Strongyle (12.7%), Nematodirus (0.9%), Moneizia (14.55%) and Fasciola (11.82%). Further analysis showed high (48.6%) anaemia in adult goats. The most significant risk factors were location of farm (p=0.001), production system (p=0.045) and frequency of deworming (p=0.023). It is concluded that there is a high prevalence of GIP linked with heavy infection in the area. Therefore, it is imperative to promote agricultural adaptation strategies that will strengthen thefarmers’ resilience.