INTENSITY AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH GASTRO INTESTINAL PARASITE INFECTIONS OF CATTLE IN MATHIRA SUB COUNTY, KENYA

摘要

Infection by gastro intestinal parasites is a serious issue in cattle management.There is however inadequate information regarding gastro intestinal tract parasite infections of cattle in Mathira sub County in Nyeri County in Kenya. The main aim of the study was to determine the risk factors and intensity of gastro intestinal parasite infections of cattle in Mathira sub County. Overall, 384 fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum in cattle.The Willis technique was used to identify any stages for nematodes and cestodes; the sedimentation method was used for trematodes identification, direct smears were used to identify any stages for protozoans and the modified McMaster technique was used to determine the number of eggs per gram (epg).The risk factors associated with intestinal parasite infection were drawn from the analysis of the questionnaires.The highest infection rate of 33% was recorded among the younger cattle aged between 1 to 2 years(group 1 ).The least infected cattle by gender were male with (62.83%) as compared to female with (66.4%) The Friesian breed with 140 of 213 was the most infected compared to the other breeds. Most of the cattle (63.5%) had between 0-200 epg which was the lowest intensity of infection. Risk factors such as deworming, watering place of the cattle and farming methods were statistically significant whereas the education level of the farmers, housing of the cattle, housing floor types and cleaning practices of the cattle houses were insignificant. Other factors such as age and breed also influenced infection.Young female cattle aged 1 to 2 years and the Friesian breed were the most affected groups compared to other groups.The lower intensity of gastro intestinal parasite infections was related to improved farming practice .