Prevalence of Bovine Cysticercosis, Human Taeniasis and Associated Risk Factors in Selected Towns of Silte Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Bovine cysticercosis is an infection of cattle caused by the larval stage of Cysticercus Bovis, the human intestinal cestodes and it has economic important and public health importance. Across-sectional study was conducted from March 2022 to August 2022 to determine the prevalence of Bovine Cysticercosis, Human Taeniasis and associated risk factors in selected towns of Silte zone. The study was conducted in Silte zone municipal abbatoir, Southern Ethiopia in cattle slaughtered randomly selected towns,namely, at Kilto,Kutery,Kirate and Werabe Tawon municipal abattoirs. Systematic random sampling technique was used to collect all the necessary data from abattoir survey of the study animals and questionnaire survey collected data stored by using in Epi data software and analyzed using (SPSS-22) software program. The sample size required for this study was determined to be based on the expected prevalence (50%) of C. bovis and the 5% desired absolute precision and 95% CI. Out of 422 carcasses examined during the study period in 4 municipality abattoirs, 36 % were infected with C.bovis. A prevalence of 35.7%, 35.92%, 37.96% and 34.11% were Kilto,Kutery,Kirate and Werabe Tawon were observed, respectively. Among considered risk factors, sex, body condition and breed showed statistically significant difference in prevalence of C. bovis in study area. Regarding the anatomical distribution of the cysts, shoulder muscle showed highest prevalence 28.44%, was followed by tongue 20.79% tricepsbrachi muscle 18.35%, masseter muscle 17.74%, heart 12.84%, and Liver 1.8%. Out of 110 respondents, 64.5% had contracted T.saginata. Among considered risk factors, sex, age, occupation, education status, raw meat consumption and knowledge about the disease showed statistically significant difference in prevalence of T.saginata in study area. The findings of this study indicated that importance of Bovine Cysticercosis and Taeniasis in the study area. Therefore, attention should be given to the public awareness, detailed meat inspection to be safe to public health, consumption of well-cooked cattle meat should be implemented for breaking the cycle of the diseases and promote meat industry in the country.