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

Abstract

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 the
farmers’ resilience.