Factors Associated with Bovine Fasciolosis in Kpone Kantamanso District, Greater-Accra Region, 2015-2016.

ABSTRACT 

Background 

Fasciolosis is one of the most important helminth infection of ruminant livestock and caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. Clinically, disease is usually characterized by weight loss, anaemia and hypoproteinaemia. Fascioliasis has also been recognized as re-emerging and widespread zoonotic disease affecting millions of people worldwide and many more are at the risk of infestation. 

Methods  A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2015 to March 2016 at Kpone Katamanso district. Gbetsileh and Katamanso settlements participated in the study. 384 faecal samples of cattle sampled from 20 herds were examined using the sedimentation technique. Similarly husbandry practices and aspect of herd owners’ education in the same settlements were capture using a standard questionnaire. 

Result The prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in this study was 16.93% and was higher in Gbetsileh than in Katamanso. The age group 7 -12 months and sex were identified as potential risk factors. On the contrary deworming and training on husbandry practices reduces (protective factors) risk of bovine fasciolosis. Both of them were not statistically significant (P > 0.052 and P > 0, 81 respectively).  

Conclusion  

The prevalence of bovine fasciolosis for this study was 16.93%. Age group 7 – 12 months of cattle increases the risk of bovine fasciolosis. Deworming and training on improved husbandry/management practices lower bovine fasciolosis prevalence in cattle